New Zealand has had a taste of hot summer weather over the weekend. Photo / Duncan Brown
New Zealand has had a taste of hot summer weather over the weekend. Photo / Duncan Brown
It's been weather for ice creams, barbecues and a dip at the river this weekend, with a high pressure ridge bringing most regions an early dose of summer.
Friday's warm weather carried on into Saturday, with many centres yesterday seeing temperatures reach the mid-20s.
Some of the hottest spots inthe North Island included Masterton (25C), Taumaranui (24C) and Taupo (24C), while parts of Auckland recorded 23C.
A northerly across Wellington kept temperatures in the mid-teens, although across the harbour, Lower Hutt registered an afternoon high of 20.
But it was the South Island that caught most of the heat, with Saturday's highest temperature of 29C registered in Hamner Springs, followed by 28C at Culverden, Canterbury, and 27C at Blenheim.
"There was a ridge of high pressure over the North Island and upper South Island, and the absence of cloud as well as a northwest flow helped to raise temperatures," MetService meteorologist Peter Little said.
Weatherwatch.co.nz forecaster Phillip Duncan said while today's weather had been characterised by high cloud, many places were still enjoying temperatures in the 20s.
The only exception was rain that fell on the West Coast of the South Island today as a front travelled north, with showers spreading east of the Alps.
"I've had quite a few people saying they couldn't believe how warm it is, and a number have said they've never had Guy Fawkes on such a warm weekend," Mr Duncan said.
Northern Fire Communications shift manager Scott Osmond said fire crews in the top half of the country had responded to about 25 fireworks-related call-outs in the past 24 hours, but with a welcome lack of wind, the weather hadn't added any extra problems.
Fire danger remains low to moderate across the country despite the warm weather, with the exception of a few small pockets.
Mr Duncan said while it was still too early to say dry weather was locking in, "the rain-makers" were beginning to fade out as spring gave way to summer.
"I think there is definitely a warmer than average pattern forming now, which wasn't there back in September - and that's part of El Nino starting to kick in for us.
"It's starting to dry out, so weekends like this are not so positive for the farming community, but for holiday-makers they are probably starting to get a bit excited about summer."
More rain forecast for week ahead
Mr Little said next week would open with a few showers over the North Island tomorrow as rain currently in the west slowly begins moving northward.
The new week starts off with the front weakening as it crosses New Zealand.
Rain clears from the West Coast on Monday, but cloud and showers move onto central and western parts of the North Island, along with a change to southwesterlies.
A gentle westerly flow covers the country on Tuesday, bringing cloud and a few showers to western places, while fine weather prevails in the east.
"Warm afternoon temperatures are expected in the east of both islands on Tuesday, and some places could reach into the high twenties," Mr Little said.
A cold southerly change then sweeps up the country on Wednesday bringing a period of rain or showers to most places.
"Snow is also likely about high country areas, which may affect some of the South Island alpine passes on Wednesday and the Desert Road on Thursday."
A ridge of high pressure moves onto the country on Friday, bringing settled weather, with a frosty start to the day in sheltered places.
Soil moisture levels remain low in many places
This map shows soil moisture levels remains dry in many places, although recent rain has helped restore levels in the east coast of the North Island. Picture / NIWA
Rain next week would be welcomed by farmers - many of whom are still facing drier than normal soil conditions with a severe El Nino summer on the cards.
The National Institute of Water and Atmosphere's latest update reported widespread dry soil conditions, with the exception of the southern Gisborne and Hawke's Bay regions, where a deep low pressure system last week thankfully brought moisture levels to above normal for this time of year."
Soil moisture in Manawatu-Wanganui was also tracking well and remained in the near normal range.
But it was a starkly different story in the north-eastern Waikato to Bay of Plenty regions, where soil moisture levels had recently decreased and were much drier to severely drier than normal for this time of year.
The Auckland and southern Wellington regions were also drier than normal for the time of year.
In the South Island, moisture levels east of the Divide from eastern Tasman down to northern Otago were drier than normal for the time of year while the remainder of the island continued to experience near normal soil moisture conditions.
Soil moisture levels were severely drier than normal for the time of year in parts of Nelson and Marlborough as well as in the districts of coastal Hurunui, Waimakariri, Timaru, Waimate and eastern parts of the Mackenzie country.
