Beanies, scarves and puffer jackets come out as near-record chilly weather hits parts of the Pacific

The people of Tonga know how to adapt to the extremes of the natural environment. Key points: A weather system pulling cold air from south of Tonga has helped drive temperatures to near-record lows Members of Tonga's royal family donated blankets to freezing prisoners and patients in a psychiatric ward The lowest temperature recorded in Tonga was 8.7C in September 1994 Cyclones, volcanic eruptions and the impacts of climate change are elements they've learnt to live with. "It's been a big surprise to everyone" said acting Tonga High Commissioner to Australia, Curtis Tuihalangingie, who was in the capital Nuku'alofa this week. "When you've got clear skies like that, at night the heat that's absorbed at the Earth's surface during the day when the sun's shining escapes, so it cools down overnight," Professor Lindesay said. As the world continued to feel the impacts of climate change, Dr Tauvale said predicting weather patterns in the region would become more "complicated".