Winter has finally taken hold of the entire nation at once with one of the coldest, if not the coldest, morning of 2010.

As early as 8pm last night frosts were already forming in Taupo, Central Plateau, Palmerston North, Blenheim, and across Central Otago.

Extreme temperatures as of 7:30am…

• Whenuapai (NW Auckland) +1
• Hamilton -2
• Paeroa 0
• Rotorua, Whakatane +2
• Taupo -1
• Christchurch +1
• Wanaka -2
• Queenstown -3

The cold air is due to a large high from Australia which has “locked in” the cold and with mainly clear skies at night the sun’s heat has escaped.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says it’s a bit like leaving opening up the windows in your house at night after switching off the heater.

Temperatures today are expected to be pleasant for many with those cold southerlies finally dying out and little to no wind for other regions.