MetService says temperatures are set to increase early this week following a chilly weekend across the motu.
Many parts of the country recorded their coldest mornings of the year in the early hours of Sunday, following some frosty overnight temperatures that had some reaching for another layer.
Lows included Auckland Airport (2.5C), Christchurch Airport (-3.8C), Taupō Airport (-4.2C) and Mount Cook Airport (-11.5C).
The coldest air temperature recorded that morning was -12.5C at Lake Tekapo. In the North Island, temperatures plunged to -6.2C around the central plateau.
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley says temperatures dropped as low as-12.5C overnight, with frost reaching as far north as Auckland. (Source: 1News)
However, the forecaster said temperatures would climb early this week as northwesterly winds strengthen.
Christchurch was expected to reach 17C on Tuesday. Napier, Hastings, and Whanganui were also expected to hit a toasty 19C on Wednesday.
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said wet conditions were expected for most this week as a band of rain moves up the West Coast today and onto the North Island overnight.
Holiday-makers seeking the best weather for the second half of the school holidays should head east, he said.
"Hawke’s Bay would be my pick of the week; Canterbury will also get some fine breaks, but that big Nor'west Arch might be making an appearance."
"The Nor’west Arch is a distinctive cloud that forms when northwest winds blow over the Southern Alps. The air is forced over the mountains, and cools as it rises and streams towards the east coast. This forms a large white lenticular cloud, with a band of blue sky closer to the alps," Pawley explained.
In the South Island, MetService issued a yellow heavy rain watch for the Westland ranges from 2am to 9pm tomorrow, and the headwaters of Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass from 3am to 9pm tomorrow.
MetService said these areas also had the potential for thunderstorms.
A strong wind watch was issued for Canterbury High Country for 12 hours from 10am to 10pm tomorrow.
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