While some western parts of the country – particularly Canterbury and Gisborne – have been sweltering in high temperatures to kick off our warmest season, many others can´t say the same.

For most kiwis, summer signals a return to jandals, BBQs and beach towels – but the start of this summer has seen some cooler than average conditions in most places.

Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Invercargill and the West Coast – to name a few – have seen much lower December temperatures this year than normal – and, as with most of the wacky weather around the Pacific – it´s all thanks to El Niño.

Check out some of our readers´responses to the recent cooler weather, below – and keep the submissions coming, on our twitter page, here.

Impressive cloud over @Mt_Maunganui @localtauranga right now @WeatherWatchNZ @PhilipDuncan pic.twitter.com/ZjpCOzfRCS

— Ben Haarmann (@pihasurfie) December 16, 2015

@WeatherWatchNZ @MetService Snow on Richmond ranges. Vines are finding it a bit chilly this morning pic.twitter.com/3uGLtzqE6a

— Mart Verstappen (@mart_verstappen) December 16, 2015

Where’s Summer? @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/qOO11fP6nk

— Miss Michelle ♡ (@MIkitule) December 16, 2015

At least someone in Southland is getting some sun…. @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/y1d9s60n7W

— Bruce (@fairleigh_ag) December 16, 2015

– WeatherWatch.co.nz