A record-breaking mild June has been quickly followed by a real wintry blast in Wanganui.
With a national average temperature of 10.3C, the month of June was the warmest since records began in 1937.
The record puts the temperature at 1.9C above the normal average for the month.
According to the National Climate Centre, the high temperatures were due to sea level pressure variations causing northeasterly flows across the country.
Many ski fields were forced to delay opening for the season and were unable to generate man-made snow because of the temperatures.
Wanganui recorded the fourth highest June air temperature since records began, with 21C on June 8.
Rainfall averages for the region were down, with levels at 50-79 per cent below normal.
Niwa attributes the reduced rainfall to the northeasterly winds bringing warmth from tropical regions and increased sea surface temperatures that were 1C above normal.
Despite the lack of rainfall, soil moisture levels are close to normal in most areas, although parts of Hawke's Bay are drier than average.
Manawatu-Wanganui was not affected by the strong winds that caused road closures and damage to trees and property in northern areas on June 10 and 11, or those that caused power outages in the lower South Island later in the month. This year has beaten the previous record for warmest month of June set in 2003, when the average temperature was 1.8C above average.
But July heralded significant change, with heavy rain, hail and southwesterly winds bringing a dramatic drop in temperatures.
There were road closures on the Desert Rd and State Highway 47 yesterday, with police and the NZTA urging caution when using other roads in the area.
MetService are forecasting fine weather to return today for Wanganui, with a high of 15C and fresh westerlies developing, with overnight showers. There will be a high of 16C tomorrow and a fine day, with southeasterlies on Sunday and a high of 13C.