Recent nights had been warm in the upper North Island, with Tauranga on 20C at 6am today, Nelson and Westport 19C, and Auckland a slightly cooler 17C.
It’ll be another warm night, with a low of 19C in Auckland overnight, and a high of 24C forecast tomorrow despite the wet weather.
But a switch from northerlies to strong southwesteries on Monday promised a dip in temperatures going into Anniversary Day, with an overnight low of 14C forecast.
Showers are expected to clear in the morning, and a high of 23C is forecast for our biggest city.
“Monday will be drier, but cooler,” O’Connor said.
“It’s a bit of a respite from the humid air. The wind will flick around from northerly to sou’westerly, and they’re cooler – we’ve had a few of these this summer.
“[It’s] a little bit of everything this [long] weekend.”
Northland and Nelson are also celebrating their anniversary days with a long weekend.
Those in the northern region can expect similar long-weekend weather to their Auckland neighbours, although a humid 26C is forecast tomorrow.
Nelson would be wet for much of the weekend, easing on Monday, with temperatures in the low 20s.
Much of the country could expect wet weather tomorrow, thanks to a low coming in from the west, O’Connor said.
Showers are expected in Wellington, widespread and heavier in the afternoon, but it will be a humid 26C in the capital.
Christchurch would also be wet and humid, with 24C forecast tomorrow.
However, the most significant impact would be felt in parts of the western South Island from noon today, with a heavy rain warning issued for Westland District until 6pm tomorrow.
Up to 180mm to 230mm could accumulate about the ranges, and 100mm to 150mm nearer the coast south of Hokitika, according to the MetService website.
Peak intensities of 20mm to 30 mm/h could be expected tomorrow, MetService forecast.
“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. [And] surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.”
A heavy rain warning has also been issued for Mt Taranaki from 9pm tonight to 7pm tomorrow.
Heavy rain watches are also in place for the Tasman district west of Motueka for the 24 hours from 9pm tonight, and in coastal Otago from 6am to 9pm tomorrow.
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
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