A wintry Monday morning is greeting much of the country as a southerly stirs up a mass of very cold air, with rain and snow still affecting parts of New Zealand, particularly the North Island.

A rapid improvement isn’t expected but the sun will shine in many western areas and the far south today, although temperatures will be well down on the October average.

Warmest ( Only 2 locations in double figures)

Cape Reinga 10

Hicks Bay 10

Coldest

Lumsden -4

Queenstown -2

Invercargill -1

Wanaka -1

Wettest

North and east of the North Island from Hastings to Auckland

Windiest

Wellington     Gusty southerly up to 70kph

New Plymouth     Southerly touching 80 kph at times

Hawera    Southerly peaking in excess of 75 kph