MetService says many parts of New Zealand can expect a “really lovely weekend”.
As of 7am today, MetService said temperatures were sitting at 0C in Masterton, 1C in both Blenheim and Wanaka, and 2C in Taumarunui and Queenstown.
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said today was “probably the coldest morning out of the next few days” as a southerly flow swept in.
She said this morning Tekapo dropped to -1.9C, Auckland Airport recorded 6.6C and Christchurch 2.2C.
“So a few frosts here and there, but actually going forward for the weekend we’re looking at very average temperatures for this time of year.”
She said the South Island “might be lucky to get out of single digits during the day, but nothing really severe”.
“No one’s going to be any warmer than 16C tomorrow. But for this time of year, it’s okay. Not too cold, not too warm.”
She said these cold temperatures would ease a “really lovely weekend” for many areas.
“A ridge of high pressure builds in and continues to build tomorrow, and that’s what we want.
“When we’ve got high pressure, it means no significant weather, little bit of fog here and there, a couple of showers, a little bit of cloud, but actually things are looking really, really nice.”
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She said “unlucky spots” such as Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay might have some isolated showers.
“But for the main centres for Auckland, for Christchurch, for Wellington, even for Dunedin, [it’s] looking like a really lovely weekend, and it makes me very happy,” she said.
Brighter days ahead
Keats said with one more month left of winter, there would still be a “few weeks left of this weather”.
“Yes, there will be cold outbreaks. Yes, they’ll probably be a few more rainy systems coming, but there is some good news. So we’re getting more daylight.
“Surely you’ve noticed it. I’ve noticed it. It’s starting to feel a little bit brighter, so compared to this time four weeks ago, we’re getting 45 minutes on average around the country of daylight hours, and within the next month that’s going to increase in that one hour and 15 minutes.”
