Friday’s warmer temperatures will drop to the low teens today for much of the east coast, particularly in the South Island. Blenheim and Christchurch go from 24C yesterday to a chilly 12C today.
“We’re in that very swingy spring weather where we’re kind of going from hot to cold to hot to cold and wet and windy and beautiful, beautiful days.
“Lots of variability,” Bakker said.
The cold, southerly change is forecast to reach Wellington and Wairarapa from late morning, before spreading across the North Island during the afternoon and evening.
It is not expected to reach Auckland and Northland until late evening or overnight.
Overnight lows of 11C are forecast for Whangārei and Auckland, while Wellington is expected to fall to 7C and Dunedin to 5C.
Sunday is expected to bring a cold start in the South Island and lower North Island but fine, dry weather across most of the country, although showers are possible in Northland and northern Auckland.
The chilly weather is not expected to last long, with conditions forecast to warm again at the start of the week.
MetService meteorologist Maddy Neal told the Herald that once this front has gone through, a ridge of high pressure will move back over the country.
“The settled weather that we’re experiencing for the majority of this week will be returning at least for the start of next week,” Neal said.
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