No one will be immune to cold temperatures which are set to sweep across the country in the first half of Easter weekend.
The cold will be especially present on Good Friday thanks to southerly winds, MetService says.
Forecast top temperatures in Christchurch and Wellington will be 13C and 14C respectively. Even Aucklanders will be feeling the chill with a high of 18C in the city of sails.
After the cold day, temperatures overnight will be down to single figures across most of the country, MetService warned. Temperatures for parts of Auckland will be down to 9C.
“Generally, the temperatures are on the rise as the weekend progresses,” the forecaster said.
Over the weekend, the South Island is set to have sunnier weather compared to the North Island, but the country will be affected by unsettled weather approaching from the southwest.
Showery weather and blustery winds will also be on the cards for many people heading away to their Easter destination on Thursday.
MetService said the South Island’s weather should make for prime conditions for those attending Warbirds over Wanaka, with Saturday and Sunday looking like the better days.
A few snow showers are forecast about the summit of the Crown Range Road during the second half of Thursday.
Wetter weekend for North Island
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said: “While the Easter weekend for the South Island will see plenty of fine, dry weather — for the North Island it will be a wetter, windier story.”
Areas surrounding the East Cape of the North Island look to bear the brunt of the wet and windy weather, especially on Saturday and Sunday. However, most of the North Island will see rain at times during the long weekend.
Ferris added a slow-moving area of low pressure forming off East Cape is likely to bring a wet weekend to Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.
While the low pressure stays nearby through the weekend it will feed rain onto the east coast of the North Island with the potential for some periods of heavy rain.
Strong winds will surround the low pressure, causing blustery conditions to be forecast around eastern and central regions of the North Island, especially on Saturday.
Those returning home on Monday will be in for clearer weather but those travelling around eastern parts of the North Island should take extra care as the rain and wind throughout the weekend could bring a bit of debris to the roads.
“Whether you are camping or staying at home, check in with the weather forecast this weekend to make sure you don’t get caught out — particularly if you’re in a tent as it’s going to be a cold start on Saturday morning,” Ferris advised.