KEY POINTS:
The South Island has seen a wide range of temperatures over the past 24 hours under the influence of a nor'wester, with Christchurch only falling to 15C overnight.
The Radio Network's South Island weather analyst Richard Green said further south Timaru only made it to 8C yesterday and yet 70kms either side it was 16C in Ashburton and 18C in Oamaru.
"This was quite unusual but due to the fact Timaru sat under the thick north west arch cloud," he said.
The odd temperatures are also being felt in Southland where, behind the front bringing heavy rain to Westland and the Canterbury Alps, clear skies allowed temperatures to drop to 2C to 4C early this morning.
Either side of Southland temperatures are much higher. It was 11C on Stewart Island and 15C in Westport at 8am.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
