Whanganui weather: What to expect for the first week of autumn

It will be a cooler start to autumn in Whanganui.

A cool and blustery start to autumn will make way for dry, settled weather towards the end of the week.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan said the current chilly southerly winds will turn westerly by Tuesday before a high-pressure weather system brings warmer conditions from Thursday.

“The way it is in Whanganui, we normally get a stiff westerly breeze in the afternoon, so we’re likely to get that this weekend,” he said.

“Good for kite flying, but it’s not going to be dead calm.”

Consistent highs of 23C and lows of 13C are anticipated from Friday until Sunday.

“We can pretty much rule out any strong winds, heavy rain, or stormy weather,” Corrigan said.

“Either way, it’s going to be T-shirt weather.”

Sunday will be the better day, he said.

There is potential for some light rain and clouds on Saturday, especially around inland areas.

“Temperature-wise, early twenties is actually on the high side. So a high of 23C is 1.5C above the average for Whanganui in early March.”

Corrigan said the conditions from Monday to Wednesday were unusual for this time of year, 5C below the average for daytime highs and single-digit lows overnight.

“Summer has ended. But normally early March is quite warm, rather than what’s happening right now.

“I think the worst weather of the week is going to be today and it’s going to get drier.”