The blast of cold southerlies has brought heavy rain to the North Island’s east coast and dropped temperatures to unseasonable levels. MetService meteorologist Karl Loots said the coldest spots were in the central South Island, with Tekapo as low as 0C, while Pukaki and Manapouri dropped to 2C. The North Island was relatively warmer but many would have been feeling the drop from the sweltering nights of late. The city would warm up today to a high of 23C, with fine weather and gusty southeasterlies easing this afternoon. The front should move over the North Island and weaken on Thursday, and another ridge would spread over New Zealand from the Tasman Sea.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2019 18:56 UTC