Today for the first time in a number of days, Waiouru climbed off the bottom rung temperature-wise and in fact, Queenstown claimed the dubious honour with a single figure high of 9 degrees.

Once again the warmth was felt in the east of North Island with Gisborne and Napier on 19 degrees.Hastings and Wanganui took second spot with 17 degrees and the coolest town in the north was Tokoroa with a respectable 13.

The mainland was cooler today, than yesterday, with Queenstown on 9 and a number of centres hitting a South Island maximim of 14 degrees.

To the main centres and Auckland and Hamilton came in with 15, Wellington topped 14, Christchurch, the coolest city nationally, with just 11 and Dunedin rose to 14 degrees.

It was a drier day than expected in some regions with plenty of sunshine out east over the country and in fact most of the mainland had settled conditions. Tomorrow though, a different scenario awaits with rain making its way south during the day.

Tonight, a large temperature range is expected with rain falling in the far north with a warmish northerly, therefore the thermometer shouldn’t drop too much below 13 or 14 degrees, whereas the far south, might see temperatures drop below zero, with a frost possible for Queenstown and Gore.

Tomorrow a similar pattern weatherwise, with the mercury knocking the 20 degree mark towards the top end of the country with some moisture, but down south, it should remain dry but chilly.