This long Easter weekend has seen a big range in temperatures and a big variety of overhead conditions.

Heavy rain fell for the first part of the weekend in the west and parts of the south then it was followed by clearing skies with southerly winds picking up. this morning some frosts were recorded as Dunedin airport dipped below freezing.

In northern and eastern areas, warm and sunny skies prevailed for the first half with temperatures managing to climb as high as the late 20s, then overnight on Saturday and in the small hours of yesterday morning, the temperature plummeted to single digits in some places in Canterbury under cloudy and dull skies with only a little drizzle or light rain. Southerlies did arrive but not with any great strength.

The predicted rain forecast for the Mid and North Canterbury regions, including Christchurch, didn’t deliver much rain at all with only misty drizzle recorded in a few places.

The dry spell continues for much of the north, east and central parts of the country however some showers or rain in the north tonight could see just a little relief.