With autumn creeping in over the Southern Hemisphere, it appears that Lord Howe Island is barely feeling the cooling season. Last night's 21.1 degree minimum made it their warmest night this late in the season in 12 years. With the end of April approaching, so far this month only six nights have been at or below the long-term average of 18.1 degrees for this time of the year. Like many parts of Australia, Lord Howe Island is being impacted by a lingering El Nino, extending warmer-than-average conditions into autumn. A strong ridge of high pressure has also been helping to keep conditions settled and winds relatively calm in recent days. Looking ahead, winds have started to pick up as the high moves eastward, and overnight temperatures are likely to drop slightly as a front to the south brings the chance of light showers. A series of fronts are expected to pummel parts of southern Australia in the coming fortnight, with one of the systems expected to extend its reach northward enough to have a cooling, wet impact on the island from early Monday. It looks like autumn will finally be felt from next week.