Tuesday seems to be providing a decent amount of sunshine for large chunks of the country although the odd cloudy spells might hug onto some areas but burn off by mid morning in most areas.

Frosts have also been commonplace over the lower half of the country overnight and temperatures fell below freezing point with 5-8 degree frosts being recorded at some locations in sheltered inland regions.

Once the sun dawns this morning temperatures should creep up to near the low teens in the south and to the mid to high teens in the north.

Cloud with some showers are expected to clear over lower eastern parts of the North Island first thing but Gisborne might see one or two hang around for much of the day.

Roads and highways seem to be clear this morning around the country but alpine passes and shaded inland roads could be a little icy first up and again by tonight.

Conditions are likely to be similar tomorrow and again on Thursday however a few spits of rain could sneak into the deep south by then.

Story by R.Green