MetService forecast: Chilly mornings, sunny afternoons to end Anzac break

A ridge of high pressure sitting over the Tasman Sea is set to deliver fine spells across New Zealand for much of this week. Photo / MetService

Chilly, crisp mornings giving way to sunny autumn afternoons are set to mark the end of the Anzac long weekend.

MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said this weekend had been a “pretty stark contrast” to the turbulent weather of recent weeks, with “very settled conditions” expected across the motu today.

“People will likely wake to a bit of a chill, but temperatures should climb to around 20C in some places and generally the mid to high teens across most of the country.”

Fine spells will continue for Wellington and Wairarapa today, offering more settled conditions for the regions slammed by storms and slips last week.

Lynden said there could be some morning cloud and light winds over the region, but conditions were expected to clear early, making way for another “brilliant day”.

The fine weather could even tempt the brave into a “brisk swim”, he said, setting the scene for a day outdoors and good conditions for those travelling home.

For Auckland, the day is expected to start with some cloud and the chance of isolated showers, but conditions should quickly improve, Lynden said.

Light southerlies will keep a slight chill in the air early, with Tāmaki Makaurau forecast to reach a high of 19C, matching yesterday’s temperature.

Gisborne, which reached 21C yesterday, is expected to see cloud develop this morning with the chance of a shower and a high of 18C.

The same peak is forecast for Ōtautahi/Christchurch today, with northerlies developing in the evening.

The worst place to be today, according to Lynden, is Stewart Island, where showers are forecast to continue through to the evening.

The showers may also “stick around” for parts of the lower South Island and Fiordland, he said.

MetService said the severe weather outlook for the week ahead is looking “downright dull”.

“Hopefully this will help make the remaining clean-up after the last round of weather events that bit easier.”

The settled weather is expected to carry through much of this week, Lynden said.

“A large ridge of high pressure sitting out in the Tasman Sea is expected to be the main weather driver over the coming days, bringing fine spells to much of the country through Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and even into Thursday.” .

Parts of the eastern South Island could see the warmest temperatures, with highs in the low 20s possible, including around 22C forecast for Ashburton on Wednesday.