It would last only as long as the weekend, however, as a front bringing rain was expected to hit the South Island from the Tasman Sea on Monday before “chugging its way” up the country.
MetService says a period of heavy rain is likely in the west of the South Island, with the forecaster 30-60% confident that downpours could reach “warning levels” in the ranges of the Westland District, headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Lake Coleridge.
As the front moves north over central New Zealand on Tuesday, it is expected to bring a period of rain and strong northwest winds.
The North Island is forecast to get the bad weather late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday.
“We have some mild concern for the elevated areas, in Taranaki, the Kāpiti Coast, and then the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty,” Holden said.
A high-pressure system is responsible for the weekend’s pleasant conditions, but as it moves away, the gales and rain are allowed in.
Earlier this week, scorching temperatures were felt across the country as Auckland hit 28C, Napier Airport 34C and Wairoa 32C.