The Hunter's fickle weather continues to defy us, taking us from a Winter wonderland to a tropical paradise all within seven days.

Early Monday morning Cessnock recorded a low of -3.4 degrees and Maitland a chilly 4.7.

On Sunday their temperatures will climb to 26 and 27 degrees respectively.

Conditions are tipped to gradually warm up throughout the week with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting drier and warmer than average conditions between August and October.

The forecast for the week ahead in Maitland is:

. Tuesday a top of 20 degrees.

. Wednesday 0 - 21.

. Thursday 2 - 22.

. Friday 4 - 24.

. Saturday 6 - 23.

. Sunday 6 - 27.

. Monday 9 - 25.

Cessnock forecast for the week ahead is:

. Tuesday a top of 19 degrees.

. Wednesday -1 - 21.

. Thursday 0 - 22.

. Friday 2 - 24.

. Saturday 5 - 22.

. Sunday 4 - 26.

. Monday 8 - 24.