KEY POINTS:
Summer seems to have arrived a month early this week as a large high pressure system holds firm over New Zealand. Temperatures have been up into the mid to late 20s across the South Island and into the mid 20s in the North Island under mainly clear skies and little wind. Forecast highs for the next day or two are similar with temperatures matching those in the middle of January from Waikato to Otago.
Easterlies running along the northern edge of the high will continue to push in cloud across Northland and maybe into Auckland and Coromandel which means there is the risk of a shower or two - especially heading into Thursday and Friday where patchy rain is even possible. And after weeks of cold nights that pattern is definitely set to change in Auckland over the next few nights. Lows will be in the mid even upper teens over the next several nights with highs in the lower 20s or late teens during the day.
The hot weather isn't welcome news for everyone. We're already receiving feedback from some in the farming community about dry conditions which is always a worry so far out from the hot summer months. What are conditions like where you are? Send us your comments below.
I'm doing some background work on the dry conditions around New Zealand and hope to have a blog on it soon - anything you want to contribute would be great, either by posting a comment below or by using the Contact Us form at the Weather Watch Centre.
The next severe weather system isn't likely to arrive until the end of the week and yet again it'll bring more hot, dry, nor'westers to the South Island - particularly Canterbury and Otago. The heavy rain that falls along the West Coast is unlikely to really spill over the Southern Alps.
For those planning on outdoor events in the North Island this weekend it'll depend on where you are. Northern New Zealand may still be receiving cloud and showers - but where the cut off line for that shower activity is, is something we won't know for sure until later in the week.
As for the lower North Island strong northerlies will build ahead of that front and could bring gales to Wellington again. East coast places like Hawkes Bay and Gisborne may well get temperatures into the mid to late 20s. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone reaches 30 degrees.
Summer is certainly just around the corner - and some weather experts are predicting this one may be a scorcher.
Philip Duncan
Pictured above: Te Puna's Barry Dawe leads the super-modified race during the annual Ride-On Mower Day at Omokoroa No 1 School. Photo / Mark McKeown
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