An Antarctic blast is sweeping the nation on Tuesday, bringing icy temperatures, blankets of snow and significant swells to the North Island.

High winds and thick swathes of snow have resulted in multiple flight cancellations and widespread road closures in the South Island, but the north is also bearing the brunt of the polar blast. The capital was hammered by hail earlier this morning, with heavy snow carpeting several areas in the north, including the rural community of Taihape, certain parts of Taranaki and the Wellington region.

Residents along the capital's coastline have been asked to find alternative accommodation to ensure their safety from the surging water as waves reach up to 6m in height. All Cook Strait ferry services have been cancelled as a precaution, with local families urged to prepare a bag of supplies in case they have to leave at a moment's notice.

Heavy snowfall warnings are in place across the country, with motorists warned to take extra care on the roads as snow, black ice and high winds create hazardous driving conditions. 

What you need to know

• Wellington Mayor Andy Foster has declared a local state of emergency from 3:30pm Tuesday as southerly swells at high tide could present a significant risk to life and property
• Residents of properties 53 through to 194 on Breaker Bay Road in Wellington are being evacuated as they are expected to bear the brunt of the swell on Tuesday night
• The wave inundation along Wellington's coast could be similar to that experienced during the Matariki Storm in 2013, with locals warned to be prepared to leave their homes at a moment's notice
• Mackenzie Country Weather NZ has issued a Road Ice Warning from overnight Tuesday into Wednesday
• More than 20 flights in and out of Wellington Airport have been cancelled, with other flights cancelled out of Invercargill, Dunedin and Queenstown airports
• Interislander has cancelled its Cook Strait ferry services due to the choppy waters
• Major highways around New Zealand were closed for some time on Tuesday, but highways in the South Island have largely reopened. Before setting out on the roads, Kiwis are encouraged to check the Journey Planner for closures or advice.
• A number of warnings have been issued across several regions, with heavy snow and strong winds sweeping the North and South Island
• Christchurch residents could witness an unusual phenomenon known as 'thunder snow' due to the thick snowfall and thunderstorms