Most regions were expected to have sunny conditions this weekend, especially in the North Island as high pressure built and brought settled weather.
Metservice says most regions will see the sun come out this weekend, especially in the North Island as high pressure builds and brings settled weather. Photo / supplied
Gisborne, Napier and Hastings were expected to exceed 30°C on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The West Coast was likely to receive showers on Saturday, with more substantial rain arriving in the west and south of the South Island on Sunday.
This band of rain was forecast to move north on Monday, weakening as it travelled, while the North Island remained dry.
The South Island faced a more changeable weekend outlook.
MetService issued a strong wind watch for Southland, Otago and the Canterbury High Country south of Aoraki Mount Cook on Friday.
Gusts of up to 100km/h were forecast, especially inland.
Northwesterly winds were expected to drive up temperatures for eastern regions, with Christchurch, Ashburton and Oamaru all forecast to reach 30°C on Friday.
A MetService heat alert was in place for Oamaru.
Saturday was expected to be more temperate in these regions, before the northwesterly returned on Sunday, bringing the heat back.
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said Saturday would be the pick of the days in the South Island: “Perfect timing for runners to complete the Kepler Challenge and be off the mountain before the rain rolls in overnight.”