Blue skies ahead for long weekend

Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

Blue skies and long, sunny days are ahead for holidaymakers heading away for Labour Weekend.

Weatherwatch analyst Phillip Duncan says a large high has begun slowly making its way down the country.

It will bring sun and high temperatures to most areas for at least the next 10 days, he says.

"The forecast is looking absolutely fantastic. All of the North Island is in for a sunny, warm weekend and next week is looking sunny as well.

"It's a great time for a holiday."

Temperatures should be between the high teens and early 20s in most areas of the North Island.

In areas such as South Otago, they could rise into the mid-20s.

That means low burn times, with fair-skinned people facing sunburn after 15 minutes outside.

The only blemish on the perfect weekend comes in the form of showers over Southland and Fiordland on Sunday.

Mr Duncan says the long patch of fine weather is a signal the worst of a stormy and snow-filled spring is over.

"The worst is behind us. The rest of October is looking good. Conditions are tending to ease. There could be cold snaps in the next few months but they won't last as long or be as intense as they have been."

Road conditions are looking good for those heading away this afternoon, though traffic is building.

Police are expecting to maintain a high presence on the roads, issuing tickets to motorists who drive more than 4kms over the speed limit and cracking down on those who stray over the centre line.

There will also be some waves on the weekend, with ferry passengers facing 4m swells on the Cook Straight.

Surfers on the East Coast of the North Island will welcome news that large swells are projected around Gisborne.