Temperatures have plummeted as far north as the ‘winterless north’ this afternoon following a late change in weather patterns overnight.

A low north east of New Zealand combined with a pool of unstable air around Auckland creating widespread rain clouds that have stalled over the upper North Island for the past 16 hours.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says temperatures haven’t risen above 12 degrees in Auckand today with some centres in the region still only on 10 degrees this hour, such as Wangaparaoa.

Whangarei is similar with 11 degrees while further south temperatures range from 11 to 13 degrees across Waikato, Coromandel and western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo.

Rain is expected to ease over Auckland shortly but overcast conditions with a cold southerly will remain until night time.  Tomorrow looks sunny and dry for the city.

Paraparaumu, north west of Wellington, is the warmest centre in the country this hour with 15 degrees.

Meanwhile the South Island continues to shiver under a cold southerly – but with similar temperatures to Auckland despite sunnier, drier, weather.  Christchurch has remained around 10 and 11 for much of the day with temperatures across the South Island between 8 and 13.