While winter usually begins at the start of June, a prolonged period of higher than long-term average minimum and maximum temperatures through April and June lulled everyone into thinking winter might actually bypass the region.

The record June that ended on Monday brought with it average minimum temperatures of 4.1 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures 14.6C, 2.5C above normal for minimum and maximums over 30 days.

But a cold snap predicted last week came as forecast with strong wind gusts that have added to everyone’s discomfort over the past five days, including yesterday when it felt like it could snow.

But relief from dark clouds that blanketed out frost on Tuesday night caused our overnight temperature to rise sharply to 6C, nearly 10 degrees above the straight five zero to minus minimums of Thursday and Monday.