Just as some rhododendrons in Dannevirke thinking it is spring have burst into flower, Jack Frost has made his appearance on Thursday, May 21 to correct that impression.
NIWA reports Dannevirke's ground temperature dropped to -4.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday and followed it with a -4.5 degrees Celsius on Friday, both turning the pastures white throughout the Tararua and adding more problems for farmers trying to grow the last grass before winter.
NIWA says the grass slows rather than stops in these conditions but they are not helpful.
For urban dwellers it means the last of the autumn flowers like impatiens and dahlias are burnt off and rogue potatoes thinking it is spring are also finished.
The air temperature dropped to -1.3 Celsius on Thursday making it freezing for those with an 8am start but on the bright side lawn mowing will be curtailed and the soil insects will get a shock.
