Easter bunny brings weather treat
SUN worshippers can keep their barbecues out this week with a long-overdue spell of fine weather expected to continue.
Wellingtonians have enjoyed several days of sunny weather during the holiday break with residents basking in a high of 20 degrees Celsius yesterday, which seemed much warmer after the dismal summer.
Palmerston North reached 23, Masterton and Whanganui 21 and Taupo 19.
Metservice meteorologist Daniel Corbett said about 70 to 80 per cent of New Zealand had experienced excellent weather during Easter, although some showers had hit Northland, Coromandel and Gisborne.
Last week, Metservice had been forecasting a much worse weather scenario because of Cyclone Daphne, which resulted in extensive flooding in Fiji.
It had been unknown how the cyclone would interact with the low over New Zealand, but it had fizzled out during the week and led to a much improved outlook.
Meanwhile, a ridge of high pressure sitting across the South Island grew much bigger than expected, leading to the excellent weather, he said.
‘‘It kind of stretched its elbows in the middle of the week and said, ‘You know what, I’ve had enough of this crowded situation’,’’ Mr Corbett said.
Fine weather would continue for most parts of the country for the first half of this week, except for Fiordland where a weak front would bring some rain today before moving up the West Coast tomorrow.
Showers would affect the rest of New Zealand on Wednesday or Thursday, but following that another ‘‘decent’’ high would bring more settled weather.
‘‘Keep the barbecue out for next weekend.’’