Bask in the sunshine — until rain returns
It’s been a stunning start to Labour weekend for much of the country, and the sunshine is set to continue today.
Ulalei Enari, 12, came from Ma¯ ngere Bridge into the city to check out the flotilla visiting Auckland for the Tuia 250 commemorations.
“I reckon it’s pretty cool seeing the replica of the old-as ship. I like the cannon,” he said.
It should be warm in Auckland again today with a high of 20C forecast. But Gisborne, Wairoa and Hastings are tipped to reach 27C today — 8C above average.
Yesterday Alexandra, in Central Otago, hit a high of 27C and Tekapo¯ made 25C — after snow fell to low levels earlier in the week.
Many other spots enjoyed the summery weather and temperatures in the low 20s.
But a front will bring wet and windy weather to parts of southern New Zealand today and brief rain across the North Island as the long weekend comes to an end, said MetService meteorologist Claire Nickson.
“A front is approaching the south of the South Island and then moving up the island, bringing rain to the west and south, so Southland, Westland and Otago.”
The Canterbury high country can expect northwest gales, with gusts reaching 120km/h, and a warning
Whanga¯ rei
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Today: Fine. 23C. Tomorrow: Cloudy with rain in the evening. 22C
Auckland
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Today: Fine. 20C. Tomorrow: Fine then rain in the evening. 19C
Hamilton
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Today: Fine. 21C. Tomorrow: Rain from midday. 19C
Tauranga
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Today: Fine. 23C. Tomorrow: Rain from late afternoon. 20C
Wellington
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Today: Patchy drizzle. 16C. Tomorrow: Early rain, fine spells in afternoon. 16C
issued for the area.
But elsewhere, eastern and central areas are going to be hot, with Gisborne among the centres tipped to reach 27C, while Whanga¯rei, Tauranga and Christchurch are in for 23C. Wellington will be cooler on 16C, with patchy drizzle.
The front will arrive in Wellington tonight, and move quickly across the North Island on Monday, Nickson said.
“By the end of Monday it will have gone offshore. By Tuesday any rain left behind will be easing and then it’s pretty settled for the North Island.”
The weather pattern was nothing unusual for the country at this time of year, she said.