Rain is on the way after New Zealand's coldest night of the year.
Frost struck across the country on Wednesday after temperatures dipped severely. Auckland dropped to 0.2C, while Christchurch hit -2.1 and Gore fell to -2.6.
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Hanmer Forest went down to -7.4C overnight, a far cry from the dizzying highs of 38.4C on January 31.
"Hanmer Forest is now the proud owner of a 45.8˚C temp range this year‼️" NIWA Weather said on Twitter.
Now the rain is on the way as well as the cold, with MetService forecasting rain for most of the country at some point from Friday to Sunday.
"A frontal rain band approaches the country on Thursday which is forecast to bring precipitation to most places through into Friday with a wet weekend ahead for some," it said in a tweet.
Six maps accompanied the tweet, showing rain making its way across the country.
The cold weather has been brought on by the short days and long nights. The Winter Solstice, or longest night of the year, will take place on June 22.
NIWA forecaster Chris Brandolino said the long nights are only one part of the equation causing the cold.
"[You need a] cold air mass, this is coming from deep in the south, dry air mass, and we have light wind, high pressure.
"The only thing we are missing from the critical cold list is a fresh snow pack."
Newshub.
