MetService weather wrap-up of what New Zealand is in for over Queen's Birthday.
It's been a cold and frosty week for much of New Zealand but heading into the long weekend we will see a change.
The North Island is in store for wetter but warmer weather, and potentially heavier falls and strong winds from Northland to the Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.
On the plus side, temperatures across the North Island should recover as the winds swing around to the north - especially those overnight temperatures.
Frost in Central Otago this morning. Photo / Wills Dobson
Most of the north is expected to reach the high teens today. Whangarei is forecast to get to 17C, Auckland and Tauranga 16C, and Hamilton and New Plymouth 15C.
The hot water bottle might not be needed tonight, when overnight temperatures will rise 4-7C from Northland to Taranaki.
Meanwhile, dry weather is set to persist in the far south and west of the South Island - meaning it is the pick of places to be for Queens' Birthday Weekend.
A cold start to the day for livestock in Central Otago. Photo / Wills Dobson
Westland and Southland should keep hold of some fine weather this weekend, although temperatures in the south are still likely to be just below freezing through the nights.
Today's forecast
Whangarei: Fine spells. One or two showers from afternoon. Northeast developing morning. High 17C / Low 13C.
