KEY POINTS:
A gusty, cold, southerly change is spreading up the South Island - for many this will be a relief from the huge temperatures experienced over the weekend. Official temperatures reached 37 and 35 both Saturday and Sunday through Canterbury but this morning that southerly change is had an instant affect.
The temperature in Christchurch was just 12 degrees at 11am with a strong southerly. That same gusty southerly was also moving into Kaikoura with gusts to 80km/h. Further south it was 13 in Timaru and 12 in Dunedin, 11 in Invercargill and just 10 in Gore. Meanwhile the West Coast is basking in temperatures already close to 20.
But, hit the North Island and the winds swing around to the North. And despite a weak front moving over this morning there's very little in the way of rain - pretty much none. Temperatures in most places in the North are around the late teens early 20s. Some places in the north and east of the North Island may reach mid 20s but it's definitely going to be down a notch or two from the remarkable weekend weather.
This short, cool, breather will be great for people who have been putting off exercising lately - myself included! This evening, with a cooler breeze and some cloud cover, conditions will be far more pleasant for exercising... so long as that humidity drops a little from this morning - which it should do.
Long range and a big high is moving in from the Tasman Sea. In theory the Tasman Sea will be unable to make any decent rain bands over the next week or so due to that high... so conditions are looking set to stay dry and hot for most. In fact, if this high angles itself properly it may drive hot heat from the Aussie desert across the South Island - bringing a return to temperatures in the mid to late 30s this weekend or next week.
Pictured above: Spectators enjoy the action and the weather on North Head, Devonport, during a beautiful sunny Auckland Anniversary Day regatta. Photo / Brett Phibbs
