Parts of Canterbury could hit 28C next week as warm air streams down from the tropics, although the unsettled conditions could also bring a dusting of snow to some areas.<\/p>\n
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats told Breakfast said Ashburton was likely to reach 28C, Christchurch was tipped to hit 26C on Wednesday and Hastings could climb to 27C.<\/p>\n
“The one really noticeable feature next week, though, is going to be the heat,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got this feed coming down from the tropics, quite a warm air mass.”<\/p>\n
However, the warmth would not last everywhere Keats said, with northerlies and southerlies set to collide during the week.<\/p>\n
“They’re going to hit, so we might even see some snow. It’s a real mix next week.”<\/p>\n
A fresh band of rain will cross the South Island on Wednesday and the North Island on Thursday before a low forms in the Tasman Sea and moves in from the west.<\/p>\n
“Things are going to be a little all over the show,” she said.<\/p>\n
Students head back for the start of term four on Monday. Keats said the first days of the week looked settled enough but “then things take a little bit of a turn”.<\/p>\n
Canterbury could reach 28C next week, but unsettled weather may also bring rain, strong winds and even snow as warm northerlies meet colder southerlies. (Source: Breakfast)<\/p>\n
Showery end to the holidays<\/p>\n
Before that, families heading home from the school holidays faced a mixed weekend.<\/p>\n
Keats said a low to the northeast of the country had fed cloud and showers onto eastern areas, including Gisborne, while Wellington had endured “a pretty bleak couple of days”.<\/p>\n
She said this was likely to ease on Saturday.<\/p>\n
“Tomorrow is probably the best day out of the weekend.”<\/p>\n
Scattered showers were forecast for both islands on Saturday, with downpours possible for north Taranaki overnight.<\/p>\n
The east of the South Island looks like the best bet on Sunday, with Christchurch forecast to reach 24C and Ashburton 25C. Whang\u0101rei is expected to hit 23C.<\/p>\n