The southerly outbreak that ‘s been haranguing the east coast of the North Island today eases back for the rest of New Zealand this evening, leaving much of the country wallowing in cold air.

As skies clear in most places, except in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, temperatures will drop quickly, with a much colder than average night bringing frosts to many sheltered parts of the North Island.

It’s a similar story for most of the South Island, with a cold night and frosts, particularly away from the coast. However, South Westland and Fiordland will have about average night-time temperatures, thanks to the beginnings of a milder northerly flow there.

Wednesday’s temperatures look to be around average for mid-May or just a tad on the cooler side, except for inland parts of the South Island, where bright sun and a lack of wind will help temperatures rise several degrees above normal.

For Max & Min NZ Temperature maps for the next few days and nights ahead, please visit our new maps page: https://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/maps-radars/temperature/temperature

By Guest Weather Analyst Paul Gorman – WeatherWatch.co.nz