It’s back to school and sunshine

A stretch of fine weather is expected to welcome kids back from school holidays — but we’re being warned not to put the winter sweaters away just yet.

Today is expected to bring clear weather for most of the country, although it may be a bit cooler than the summery spell we’ve had over the past two weekends.

MetService meteorologist Ravi Kandula said most of New Zealand country could expect a dose of sunshine, interrupted by a bit of cloud.

The morning would likely kick off with some gusty winds, which would to die away as the day progressed.

Tomorrow the fine weather was set to stick around for most places.

“It’s basically the same story,” Kandula said. “It might be frosty for inland places as well, possibly some showers for Southland and Clutha, but otherwise fine.”

Tuesday and Wednesday would see a couple of fronts sweeping past the lower South Island, which would likely bring some rain with them.

This would linger through Thursday for the South Island — though North Islanders should be free of the wet weather.

From Thursday temperatures would start to heat up nationwide, with highs expected to nudge 20C and would stick around for muchwelcome Labour Weekend.

“By Friday we’re back into a ridge for most of the country,” Kandula said. “The week, all in all, is looking pretty fine.”

With a cold southerly over the country since Friday, Tauranga was warmest yesterday — a modest 16C. There was also snow on the Rimutaka Pass yesterday morning.

“It’s just spring. Changeable spring weather,” Kandula said.