Storms then sunshine for Whanganui to kick off 2026

Sun this afternoon gives way to unsettled weather tomorrow to start the first weekend of 2026, with fine conditions returning on Sunday. Photo / Erin Smith

A stormy mix with a chance of sunshine is forecast for Whanganui’s first weekend in 2026 as unsettled weather covers much of the country.

Whanganui will miss the brunt of the stormy weather hitting most of the North Island on Friday as a low-pressure system sits to the west.

“The good news for Whanganui is that it’s relatively sheltered,” MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons said.

Cloud cover in the morning is expected to burn off through the day on Friday, into clear skies by the afternoon with gentle westerlies.

There is a chance of light showers in the afternoon for inland regions.

“In terms of places to be today, Whanganui is not a bad one.”

Heading into Saturday, Whanganui may be less fortunate in evading the stormy weather as the low pressure system from the west moves closer.

Cloud cover is expected for most of Saturday with the chance of heavy rain throughout the day and increasing in the afternoon.

There is a chance of thunderstorms for the inland, northern parts of the Whanganui region, which will likely receive the heaviest rain.

Winds will shift to southeasterlies as the low-pressure system moves east, bringing colder conditions.

“Those southeasterlies could feel a bit chilly just because they’ll be a bit stronger tomorrow,” Lyons said.

The stronger southeasterly winds will continue into Sunday as the sun returns.

Sunday will be the day to target for outdoor activities, with clear skies and dry weather.

The daytime highs for the weekend are expected to be 22C on Friday, 21C on Saturday and 23C on Sunday.

The overnight lows are expected to be 13C on Friday, 12C on Saturday, 11C on Sunday.

“All pretty samey over those couple of days, not very high temperatures, a nice sort of low 20s.”

Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.