Hotel guests reaped the rewards as the coldest day of the year brought in to effect the Temperature Guarantee Scheme.

On Tuesday the thermometer dipped to 67 degrees -- one below the 68 level when the hotel incentive programme kicks in. And it is expected to continue today before warming up again tomorrow.

The chilly weather came as an abrupt shock after a few weeks of unusually warm winter days.

Meteorologists say December and January so far have seen temperatures higher than normal, and it could be down to the El Nino weather phenomenon which hit the headlines over the last two years.

Despite the hotter than average days and nights, rainfall has remained on target with 3.93 inches so far, compared to an average January figure of four inches. The Temperature Guarantee Scheme starting will mean around ten hotel and resorts will offer residents incentives such as free drinks and other rewards designed to enhance their vacation.

But their gains will be short-lived as the warmer weather returns.

Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist Dave Forbes said: "Definitely temperatures have been running warmer, especially during the day. And December was above average.'' Mr. Forbes said storm fronts are passing further north of the Island than they normally would, meaning milder than normal weather for Bermuda.

Weather experts are not sure what causes the storms to change their route, but he said the El Nino sensation and a Pacific weather system may be involved.

"The patterns are all tied together, what we have been seeing lately is alot of poor weather on the US Continent going northeast without particularly affecting us,'' said Mr. Forbes.

"It has meant our weather has been better than normal. If this pattern shifted towards the east then we would be affected to some extent, and we would get some winds the same as you would in the US.'' Bermuda's saving grace, he said, is the water -- warmed by the Gulf Stream -- between it and the US, which means that any weather front from the US is fairly stable by the time it arrives at the Island.

Farmers have been reaping the benefits with planting and harvesting being done in favourable conditions. But the mild conditions are not lulling growers into a false sense of security.