Yesterday temperatures in the south came to a sudden halt with the arrival of a nippy southerly and maximum highs were as low as 8 to 10 degrees below normal.

Cantabrians saw heavy rain yesterday morning and further south southerlies picked up in strength and gradually spread northward throughout the day.

Daily highs were pathetic with Ashburton struggling to hit double digits and other centres in Canterbury, Otago and Southland were only 2-3 degrees warmer as the icy winds spread across the east and south of the Mainland. 

Cool to cold conditions are likely again today but hopefully not as damp or dull as yeterday with the winds easing a little.

For southern areas conditions are expected to improve only a little over the next week with warmest temperatures inland but some cloud with the odd shower from time to time likely to skirt through.

Longer range models suggest a drier end to the month as we approach the New Year and temperatures lifting a little more towards the bnottom end of the country however it must be noted that Central Otago this week climbed into the 30s on more than one occasion but yesterday came plunging back down to earth with a top temperatureof just 14 degrees.