Cold snap should warm but rain is on the way

The cold weather is set to warm again in Northland.

If you've struggled to get out of bed and face the cold over the past few mornings don't worry - it will get warmer according to the experts.

A cold snap that brought an early taste of winter to parts of the South Island and the central North Island on Monday is also being felt in Northland as temperatures take a dive.

The cold blast left areas of Otago, Clutha, Fiordland and Southland in a blanket of snow. Yesterday the maximum temperature for Northland was 16C and the minimum temperature was 10C - 3C lower than the usual average for this time of the year which is a 13C minimum and a 20C maximum.

Metservice meteorologist Emma Blades said because of the southerly winds in Northland, it probably felt even cooler.

"What you've got are southwesterly gales and those are coming straight from the Antarctic so you've got those really fresh winds which make it feel a lot colder."

Ms Blades said over the next couple of days a northwesterly would come through which was expected to make the air feel warmer.

"The temperatures are expected to be about the same but because you won't have those fresh winds it should feel warmer. Also, when you're used to having warm weather and there's a drop in the temperature, like there's been in Northland, it always feels colder."

It will still pay to keep your rain jackets close by. Ms Blades said a few showers were expected throughout today and tomorrow with the rain clearing by Friday.

The forecast for the weekend was looking wet, but extended forecasts weren't guaranteed.

"We always give caution but it's looking like there will be showers."

The cold hasn't been bad news for everyone - skiers are hoping for a good season following the early snowfall.