Winter sets in with big chill arriving

Gone are doubts that warm sunny days may still crop up, as the whole country struggles to get close to mid-teen temperatures heading into the week.

All regions across New Zealand can expect a mild, often cold, first few days of the week with rain expected to roll through as well, according to MetService.

The positive side is there is only one weather warning in place – which is for snow on the road around Porters Pass, which was expected to ease heading into yesterday afternoon.

Starting from the top, despite the rain around the Far North and Northland, yesterday was the warmest it will be for some days, sitting on a high of 19C. The start of the week gets colder with showers persisting until Wednesday. Auckland is not much warmer, with a high of 13C today but a much lower chance of rain for the region.

It will be dry in Hamilton and Taupo¯ but temperatures will drop to as low as zero overnight.

New Plymouth and Rotorua can expect much of the same.

No surprises in Wellington, with rain falling in the capital right through until Wednesday, with some strong southerlies.

The high is 10C, with a low of 6C today. The rain does not make it across Cook Strait though, with only cloudy weather in Picton, although temperatures will sit between 2C and 11C through until Wednesday. The same goes for much of the South Island, including Greymouth – which will at least have clear skies.

The real chill starts to creep in further south, with Christchurch forecast to have minus 3C overnight tomorrow. Dunedin is slightly warmer but will have to deal with showers this morning.

Invercargill dips below zero most nights until Thursday.

For those heading out boating around the North Island the weather will come with plenty of winds, especially on the east coast and in Cook Strait.