Northlanders shivering through the coldest snap of the year can expect some relief of sorts this week - it's called rain.
The region suffered its coldest temperatures of the year overnight Sunday/Monday and more chilly conditions were expected last night and tonight, the MetService said.
But the high pressure system sending the
mercury plummeting across the country is likely to be replaced by a band of rain, and slightly improved temperatures from tomorrow.
The large high over the country saw the thermometer record a meagre 3C in Dargaville in the early hours of yesterday, 4C in Whangarei and Kerikeri and 6C in Kaitaia, all the lowest, or equal lowest, of the year so far.
"The big high overhead gives you some nice clear days, but also very cold nights," MetService forecaster Rachel Kirkman said.
And while those temperatures will have rugged-up Northlanders dreaming of sunnier climes, they are positively warm compared to the lowest ever June/July temperatures in the latter three centres. Whangerei reached -0.1C in June 1994, Kerikeri reached 0C in July 1979 and Kaitaia reached 1C in June 1993, Ms Kirkman said.
It's unlikely that things will get that cold this winter with Niwa forecasting that temperatures are likely to be above average in Northland for July to September.
The high pressure system over Northland should retreat to the South Island during Thursday to be replaced by a low pressure system through to Saturday. Strengthening easterly winds associated with this system should bring rain to much of the North Island. There is a moderate risk of rainfall reaching warning amounts during Thursday and Friday in Northland, especially the east coast hills. While the system will bring rain, the MetService says it will make the temperatures warmer than the last few days.
