Rain marks end of Labour Weekend

Heading back to the office at the end of the holiday weekend could be a blessing in disguise as rain is set to hit most of the country.

Holidaymakers around the country enjoyed a warm, sunny weekend, and several towns topped 20C over Labour Weekend.

But the warm, dry weather was short-lived as a blanket of cloud settled over the country yesterday and is expected to give way to rain this week.

But despite the rain Metservice meteorologist Tom Adams said it should stay warm.

"Warm temperatures, about average for the time of year, are expected to continue for the next week or so."

Usually sunny Nelson is getting the worst of the rain and wind this morning as the wet weather crosses New Zealand

The MetService is predicting thunderstorms could also hit later in the day. Westland is most at risk of getting hit by wet and windy weather, and there's a lower risk in Northern Fiordland, Buller, the Marlborough sounds and Taranaki.

All the main centres are to get a dash of rain. Auckland and Wellington are getting a few showers this morning, before the sun comes out later in the day.

Christchurch is expected to have fine spells with one or two showers that could turn heavy later in the day.

Dunedin was also forecast to have occasional showers, with a chance of thunder and hail in the afternoon.

Adams said it was good news for those in the garden.

Warm temperatures, about average for the time of year, are expected to continue for the next week or so.

Auckland

Today
Rain clearing afternoon and becoming fine
H 19C
L 13 C

Tomorrow
Showers, clearing in the afternoon
H 18C
L 13C

Wellington

Today
Occasional rain, clearing evening
H 16C
L 12C

Tomorrow
Rain, easing afternoon, northerlies
H 16C
L 10C

Christchurch

Today
Fine spells, one or two PM showers chance heavy
H 21C
L 9C

Tomorrow
Occasional showers
H 15C
L 7C

Dunedin

Today
Occasional showers, chance thunder and hail in the afternoon
H 16C
L 10C

Tomorrow
Cloudy with showers
H 14C
L 8C