Kiwis take advantage of warmer spell as welcome spring break banishes last week's icy misery

Runners make their way along Takapuna beach during the North Shore Marathon. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The heavy clouds, wild weather and icy temperatures of last week's cold snap are expected to give way to the warm spring sun for at least a day.

The end of the weekend saw many around New Zealand take advantage of the warmer temperatures with an outdoor jaunt to bask in the sun.

On Auckland's North Shore hundreds took part in the annual marathon that kicked off early Sunday morning, from Takapuna beach, and ran till midday.

While many may have headed back indoors for the start of the working week, the sun is expected to stick around outdoors for a wee bit longer.

Earlier this week, many brought out their winter woollies again as sub-zero temperatures left a fresh dumping of snow in areas around the country and kept the temperatures in many other parts in the chilly single digits.

The marathon started Sunday morning. Photo / Brett Phibbs

However, this early spring cold snap has, for the most part, relinquished its icy grip, with forecasters predicting warmer weather for the start of the week.

MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said Christchurch and Wellington both reached double digits for the first time since Wednesday over the weekend.

While he said tomorrow morning would still be a little on the cooler side, things were looking up.

"The combination of clear skies and light winds will make for a chilly start in some areas this morning."

Of the main centres the Garden City was expected to be the warmest tomorrow. Despite a cool start of 4C, temperatures in Christchurch were expected to push 20C - with a forecasted high of 19C and a largely fine day.

Auckland would start the day with a slightly warmer low of 7C, but was only expected to reach 15C. It was expected to be a sunny day today in the City of Sails, with a few light winds.

Down south things weren't looking as great, with the first of this week's rain expected to touch down in Dunedin.

Glassey said the sun was going to go back behind the clouds again for a bit with rain expected to reach the south early in the week.

He predicted the weather front would bring rain to the south and west of the south island today.

"The front is also expected to bring showers to parts of the north island from Tuesday, mainly in western areas.

"On Friday a strong north to northwest flow develops over the country, spreading rain to most places."