Widespread frost covered Tasmania last night amongst one of the coldest nights this winter - a stark contrast to parts of New South Wales and Queensland which experienced their warmest August night in a decade. A complex low pressure system has dragged a very warm airmass across the eastern states and has been accompanied by thick cloud and rain. While cloud is often thought to be associated with cooler conditions, at night time it acts as a blanket, trapping some of the outgoing radiation left behind from the daytime. As a result, minimum temperatures across many parts of NSW and QLD were more than 10 degrees above their August averages. In NSW, West Channel Beacon dipped to only 15.5 degrees, its warmest August night since 2005, while Canterbury in Sydney had its warmest August night since 2007 dropping to just 14 degrees. In QLD, St George (18.5c), Miles (17.7c), Charleville (19.4c) and Dalby (15.0c) all had their warmest August night since 2009, while Brisbane dipped to 17c, its warmest of this winter so far. Meanwhile, in the wake of a cold front, a high pressure ridge slipped under the low over Tasmania bringing about clear skies, allowing temperatures to plummet. Strahan airport recorded its equal-second coldest August night since records began in 1981, dipping to -1.8 degrees, while Tunnack dipped to -6 degrees, a massive 8 degrees below average. Hobart fell to 1.4 degrees, four degrees below average. Australia is known to be a land of extremes - however it is rare to experience such a temperature contrast, particularly during winter.