Sunny days but frosty nights forecast for New Zealand as temperatures head for rock bottom

Spring lambs soak up the late winter sun on the slopes of One Tree Hill. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Get the blankets out - it is going to be a cold one tonight.

Temperatures are set to hit rock bottom over the next few days; with the chilliest night expected tomorrow. The warmest place to be tonight is Wellington, which has an overnight low of 8C. For the rest of the country, temperatures range from -2C to 5C.

Those in Auckland are in for 5C, 2C in Palmerston North, 5C in Tauranga and 4Cs in New Plymouth.

It's set to be a cold night tonight. Wrap up warm and put a sheet over those sensitive spring seedlings. ^TA pic.twitter.com/v1JY6lw4FB

— MetService (@MetService) August 21, 2017

In the South Island, there is an overnight low of -1C in Christchurch, the same in Queenstown, 4C in Dunedin and 2C in Invercargill.

The MetService said the fine conditions during the day and chilly temperatures during the night comes as a ridge moves over the country this week.

Meteorologist Tom Adams said winds will be calm, the air cool and skies clear - therefore bringing overnight frosts.

"Temperatures rise on Wednesday, as northerlies pick up.

"But until cloud builds at the end of the week, it would still be a wise idea for gardeners to protect their Spring seedlings and for motorists to be wary of ice on the roads.''

Spring might officially still be a few more days away, but scenes such as those seen in Auckland today show the season has arrived early.

Spring lambs were seen enjoying some time in the sun on Auckland's One Tree Hill, as tourists happily watched on and snapped photos of new life.

A chilly night ahead for much of New Zealand, particularly in the South Island & central North Island where the frost risk is highest ❄️ pic.twitter.com/XJKMiUAtt4

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 21, 2017

Tonight's forecast:

• Whangarei: 8C
• Auckland: 5C
• Hamilton: 3C
• Tauranga: 5C
• New Plymouth: 4C
• Gisborne: 6C
• Wellington: 8C
• Nelson: -1C
• Christchurch: -1C
• Dunedin: 4C
• Queenstown: -1C
• Invercargill: 2C