Wet and windy with potential for snow
Tomorrow is expected to provide the best conditions for those heading out of town but staying in the country, although Law urged South Island motorists to keep an eye on forecasts as rain and strong winds move in from the west.
Saturday and Sunday are expected to be cloudier and wetter across much of the country, with showers lingering into early next week.
Law said it was “not the settled weekend we’d like to see” for the start of the school holidays.
Auckland is forecast to turn wetter from Saturday evening before a showery Sunday, while Wellington is expected to become increasingly windy before rain arrives later in the weekend.
The Bay of Plenty could also receive heavy bursts of rain overnight Saturday and into Sunday.
Christchurch is set for a “blustery day” on Saturday before showers arrive later in the day.
Early next week, cold air and moisture could bring “potential for some snowfall” across parts of Canterbury and Otago.
While it would be “great news for the ski fields”, motorists should watch for “potential for some snow” on Arthur’s and Lewis Passes.
“If you’re looking for better weather for outdoor activity, perhaps wait until the second half of next week,” Law said.
“I’m hopeful that as we head through next week, high pressure rebuilds back in to give us a bit more in the way of a settled story for that second weekend.”
Another heatwave on the way further afield
Sydney is forecast to enjoy a mostly sunny start to the school holidays before showers return on Sunday, while Brisbane is expected to stay largely fine with highs of 20C to 26C.
Melbourne, meanwhile, faces a wetter start before conditions clear early next week, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
Travellers heading to Europe should prepare for hot conditions, with forecasters warning another heatwave could develop next week.
The continent has endured an intense early-summer heatwave that shattered temperature records in several countries, including Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.
The BBC reported above-average temperatures and “significant bursts” of heat were expected across parts of Europe this month, with temperatures climbing into the high 20s in parts of England over the coming days.
Bali is expected to stay warm through the school holidays, with mostly fine conditions and daytime highs of about 28C to 30C, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
Holidaymakers heading to Fiji appear to have picked a good time, with the Fiji Meteorological Service forecasting fine weather through to at least Tuesday.
Daytime highs are expected to range from 27C to 30C, accompanied by light to moderate southeasterly winds.
Samoa is set to remain warm, with daytime highs of 25C to 27C and overnight lows of 18C to 22C.
The Samoa Meteorological Service is forecasting isolated showers through Friday, brief showers over the weekend and mostly fine weather from Monday.