LOWER Hunter residents have woken to a thick morning fog as autumn conditions set in across the region.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology the fog could be seen on satellite imagery hugging the valleys of the Hunter.
"There has been a lot more ground moisture around, it has been reasonably still, reasonably cool and this produces the fog," BOM meteorologist Helen Kirkup said.
"There has also been some hazard reduction burns in the area and this smoke can also help the fog form."
While the haze has been departing thanks to warmer daytime temperatures, Hunter residents should prepare themselves for a cold snap.
Rainfall is coming across from the west and is expected to hit the coast of Newcastle on Tuesday.
"As this cold front comes across you can expect five to 10 millimetres of rainfall," Ms Kirkup said.
Temperatures are also expected to drop by about six degrees, but it is not all frosty forecasts.
"We should see a clear and sunny weekend."
