New Zealand is in for a short-lived taste of spring with temperatures forecast to reach the low 20s before a front brings rain to the South Island, followed by cooler air.
Conditions on Monday were expected to be similar to Sunday, with partly cloudy skies and isolated showers, particularly in western areas.
Parts of Waikato, including Matamata, could reach 21C, while Christchurch and other parts of the Canterbury Plains were expected to reach 18C to 20C.
The Bay of Plenty was also expected to be among the warmer parts of the North Island, with Tauranga forecast to reach 19C.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the central South Island looked set to get the best weather as winds swung northwesterly.
“Definitely for those in the South Island, they look like they’re getting the best of the deal,” she said.
The lower South Island could see stronger southwesterly to westerly winds, particularly across Southland.
Eastern areas of both islands were expected to remain mainly fine, with high cloud.
Tuesday was shaping up to be particularly warm, with parts of both islands potentially reaching the 20s, Makgabutlane said.
The largest temperature increases were expected in central and eastern areas, with Timaru forecast to reach 22C.
The North Island was forecast to be mainly fine with isolated afternoon showers about the ranges and the odd shower in Northland.
In the South Island, showers were expected in the west, with rain developing in Fiordland and Stewart Island as a front approached in a moist northwest flow.
Most eastern areas of the South Island were expected to remain mainly fine.
Makgabutlane said the warmer temperatures would provide a welcome taste of spring, particularly for those in the south.
However, MetService said there was a low confidence rainfall totals could reach warning criteria in Fiordland south of Milford Sound on Tuesday.
There was also a low chance northwest winds could reach severe gale strength in exposed parts of Southland and Stewart Island.
The front was forecast to move slowly north across southern New Zealand on Wednesday, with the possibility of snow affecting some higher roads towards the end of the day.
Cool southerlies were expected to follow the front as it moved over central New Zealand on Thursday, when significant snow was possible about the South Island high country.
Snow could also affect many higher South Island roads for a time on Thursday.
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