Spring weather coming early as warm, dry and calm conditions grip country

Spring weather has arrived a month early as calm, dry and warmer conditions usually seen in November have been noted.

It will be a fine day for most of the country tomorrow except for some rocky weather at either end of the country.

A low-pressure system lying to the north of the country should remain offshore but MetService meteorologist Angus Hines said Northland could see some rain.

"Most of the significant rain and wind [from the system] are not going to be affecting New Zealand," he said.

"Instead, it's going to bring a cloudy day with some scattered rain to parts of Northland, particularly in the east.

"The rest of the North Island is expecting a fine day, there will be some afternoon shower activity around central parts."

Auckland will warm with temperatures in the high teens while being partly cloudy with a chance of a few showers, Hines said.

Heaps of red on the weather map! 🔴 🌵

Over the next several weeks, higher than normal pressure is forecast around NZ, which is forecast to cause below normal rainfall for the time of year 🌤️ pic.twitter.com/FfyW3uMmHH

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) October 2, 2018

WeatherWatch said spring weather arrived earlier than normal with the usual weather pattern for November present in the early day of October.

"November's weather, compared to October, tends to be calmer, drier and warmer.

"The weather pattern we have today and for the next several days looks very much like this - milder than average, drier than normal and not so windy."

In one week there appeared to be a cold change for many areas, but it didn't look major.

"Definitely a burst of windier weather and perhaps, for some exposed regions, a return to winter weather conditions for a day or so, but nothing yet is jumping out as extreme.

"Next week looks cooler and showery for some in the south, but another big high later next week looks to lock in more dry weather for next weekend."

A cold front will start to march over the South Island tomorrow, hitting land around late morning in the far south, bringing rain to the south and west of the island.

It will slowly weaken as it moves northwards into Friday, Hines said, but much of the South Island will be cloudier and cooler than tomorrow.

Most areas of the North Island will see predominantly fine weather again but there will be some shower activity around the ranges, he said.

Tomorrow's weather outlook:

Whangarei: Occasional rain developing during the morning, possibly heavy at times, clearing evening. Easterly breezes. High 17C, Low 12C

Auckland: Partly cloudy. A few showers until evening, mostly likely in the afternoon and possibly heavy south of the city. Light winds. 18C, 9C

Tauranga: Partly cloudy, chance afternoon shower. Light winds and afternoon sea breezes. 18C, 8C

Hamilton: Cloudy periods. A few showers developing in the afternoon, chance heavy, clearing in the evening. Light winds. 18C, 6C

Napier: Fine. Light winds with afternoon sea breezes. 10C, 6C

New Plymouth: Long fine spells. Westerly breeze developing afternoon. 16C, 7C

Wellington: Partly cloudy. Strong northerlies. 15C, 10C

Christchurch: Fine with high cloud and northerlies, but overnight southerly brings low cloud. 20C, 7C

Dunedin: High cloud and northwesterlies, then occasional rain from afternoon with a southerly change. 14C, 7C