Weather: Cold snap moves off New Zealand bringing in warm temperatures

The cold snap affecting Aotearoa New Zealand is forecast to move away, ushering in warmer autumn weather.

MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino told the Herald yesterday was the coldest day of the week.

“The cold southerly winds we have had are starting to ease off,” she said.

“There will be a little bit more sunshine about and we are starting to bounce back into average temperatures for this time of year - in the mid 20s.”

Niwa Weather said high pressure will be the theme for the rest of the week, bringing “mostly dry weather and gradually increasing temperatures”.

A potent low (🔵) near the Chatham Islands will continue to direct chilly southerlies across NZ on Tuesday.

High pressure (🔴) will then become favoured for most of the remainder of the week, with mostly dry weather and gradually increasing temperatures. pic.twitter.com/ytuW1p7jzB

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 2, 2026

However Martino said a few places were still colder than normal.

“Christchurch, Palmerston North, and Gisborne are all cooler than average today.

“Tomorrow morning will still be reasonably cold. There are a couple of areas that are looking like they may still get some frosts in the mountainous regions.

“But things are looking like they are getting back to a more comfortable temperature.”

🥶 It's certainly been chilly the past couple of days, but maybe the most jarring change has been the complete lack of humidity.

Our current air mass with origins in the Southern Ocean has been bone dry, but we can expect at least a touch of humidity to return later this week.💦 pic.twitter.com/3w8yWreSPV

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 3, 2026

Martino said some “quite hot temperatures” were forecast across parts of New Zealand for later in the week.

“The South Island’s east coast on Friday - northwesterly winds are building, which will drive up temperatures.

“We’re looking at mid to high 20s for Blenheim, Dunedin and even Invercargill and Gore.”

According to MetService, Christchurch will reach a high of 17C today, before rising to 22C tomorrow and 26C on Friday.

Dunedin is set to reach a high of 19C today, then rising to 21C on Thursday and a toasty 27C on Friday.

In the North Island, Auckland is forecast to reach a high of 21C, 23C tomorrow and 24C on Friday.

Hamilton is set to reach a high of 22C today, then 24C tomorrow and Friday.

Whangārei will reach 21C today and 23C tomorrow and Friday.

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