High pressure sitting over the Tasman Sea has caused lots of blue sky this weekend, and that looks set to continue into the start of the coming week. As the high pressure moves north on Tuesday, a frontal system will move onto to the South Island, bringing rain and strong wind for many. This system begins to weaken as it moves over the North Island by Friday, and another ridge of high pressure will start to build from the south behind it.
While mornings have been cold and frosty in some places, some warm afternoon temperatures have certainly given the impression of spring this weekend,and this will continue to start the coming week. "I recommend getting out to enjoy the weather at the start of the week, if you can," said MetService meteorologist Angus Hines "it will be the best many places will see for a few days."
As the high pressure drifts north, the lower South Island will be the first to greet the new frontal bands. Strong northwesterlies will pick up in the Far South on Monday evening, ahead of a front which is followed by a trough. These features will bring periods of rain and some strong winds to many places. The heaviest falls are expected in Fiordland and southern Westland on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the strongest wind is expected east of the Southern Alps. A Severe Weather Watch may be issued for heavy rain and strong wind as we track the features moving towards the country.
Although relatively slow moving, the trough will reach the North Island late on Thursday, bringing cloud and showers to most places by Friday.
A new ridge of high pressure looks set to build over the South Island on Friday, stretching over the North Island throughout the weekend. This means calm and clear weather for many places next weekend. There is some uncertainty this far out as to which places are in line for the nicest weather, so as always keep up to date with the latest forecasts and any watches/warnings at metservice.com or on mobile devices at m.metservice.com. You can also follow our updates on MetService TV, at MetService New Zealand on Facebook, @metservice on Twitter and at blog.metservice.com.