Most of the South Island is seeing sunshine today but overnight frosts are only slowly thawing with many centres still remaining in single figures.

Snow is quite low across the Southern Alps and although a spectacular sight under blue skies, it seems to add to the winter chill.

South Island Weather Analyst Richard Green believes it will be another cold night across most of the mainland again tonight with frosty conditions expected in a number of areas. ” Smog could be a bit of an issue in Christchurch tonight with cold, calm conditions on the way’, he said.

Inland areas should be the nippiest areas but most alpine passes are relatively dry so just some caution is advised early tomorrow morning as the frost forms.