The last 72 hours has seen a big drop in temperatures for much of the country and overnight minimums have been more like July than September.

Once again the mercury has dipped markedly this morning with frosts in many areas and temperatures falling below zero in parts of the central and southern areas of the country. Dunedin has plummeted to minus 4, taupo minus 2 and even Kaikohe has dropped to 4 degrees.

One positive note is that sunny skies are expected for many over the weekend with a number of winter sporting codes for youngsters coming to a close today.

Skiers should be delighted at the sunny and calm conditions, after an extended period of blustery conditions making skiing a real challenge recently.

For those in frosty regions this morning, it should thaw quite quickly with the warmth of the sun in early spring however tonight, frosts are likely to reform.