As the winds gradually ease and the cool autumnal air clings on tonight, temperatures are likely to drop to single digits in quite a few regions.

Wellington and eastern parts of the North Island are still likely to feels the effects of the cold southerly but elsewhere clear skies or those areas with cloudy patches are likely to lift but as a result the mercury is set to plunge as nightfall descends.

Coldest areas are expected to be in sheltered areas and also in inland basins and valleys where frosts are a possibility.

Many people have commented about the dusting of snow on mountain tops across both islands over the weekend which suggests Autmun has come in rapidly.

Today most of the nation remained still felt the cool tinge and temperatures once more were between 3-6 degrees cooler in eastern areas than expected in early March.

Our facebook readers commented on the nation’s weather today and Elspeth Nicoll said ” Absolutely STUNNING in West Auckland. Nice cool temperature (about 18), clear blue skies, gentle breeze, perfect!!!!” and Karen Thomson was also impressed with the sunshine in the north “gorgeous in Pukekohe, looks like a spring day!”

One reader earlier couldn’t believe the difference compared to yesterday, “Beautiful morning and not a cloud in the sky. Was hard to believe we had the crappiest weather less than 24hrs beforehand. This arvo is bit cloudy. Had shower of rain and wind has picked up a little. South taranaki”.

The next couple of nights are looking crisp for much of the nation but warming up as the middle of the week approaches for northern and central regions.

Story written by WeatherWatch.co.nz weather analyst Richard Green

Image of Central Otago