Get ready for the temperature to drop below 20 degrees Celsius says the weather office as the impact of ‘winter’ grips the nation.

Unusually cold nights are being experienced and the Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Samoa Meteorology Service, Afaese Dr. Luteru Tauvale said this could last well into August.

Temperatures currently being recorded in Apia are in their low 20s while it has dropped to as much as 17 degrees Celsius in the highlands.

“The South East trade winds are dominating and that is why we are having the cold nights. It can be felt in the day as well,” Afaese said.

“This is the usual time for winter and I expect the temperature to further drop.”

While, a much hotter July and August were experienced in the last two years, Afaese said they had measured temperatures as low as 12 degrees last year.

He said people need to stay hydrated as the cold winds will have a dehydrating effect.

Samoa is not the only nation feeling the chill. Temperatures recorded in Fiji are below 17 degrees Celsius. In the Cook Islands, 21 degrees Celsius is the highest temperature forecasted for this week.

In Australia, some parts of New South Wales have been experiencing sub-zero temperatures.

In New Zealand, the cold has brought with it flu and cold-like illnesses that has many hospitals in Aotearoa at capacity. The New Zealand Ministry of Health has advised people to take flu-shots.

In Samoa, no official data has been released yet but many people claim to be walking around blocked or stuffy noses with some complaining of headache.

Fagalii resident Murray Sesega said he found waking up in the morning harder.

“I start work at 4 am and it is cold. I work near the ocean and the mornings have not been kind lately. I also have a blocked nose and it is troublesome,” he said.

A resident of Vailele, said she had not been to work for two days now as she was feeling feverish.