Waitangi Day weather: Sunnier and slightly warmer conditions predicted

• Kiwis can expect typical summer weather this Waitangi Day, with warmer conditions across the country.
• MetService predicts light winds and sunshine, with a chance of showers in Auckland on Monday and Tuesday.
• The South Island will also experience warm weather, with dry conditions expected on Wednesday and Thursday.

Kiwis can expect “typical summer weather” this Waitangi Day as a front from the Tasman Sea brings warmer conditions across the country.

MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti told the Herald most of the country could expect light winds and sunshine at this stage.

Shiviti said on Wednesday and Thursday, a high-pressure system building in the Tasman Sea will affect most of New Zealand.

“That will result in sunnier and [somewhat] warmer conditions.”

However, Shiviti said a front has been moving up the North Island since yesterday and is expected to hit northern areas this evening.

“There’s a chance for a shower over Auckland.”

Monday in Auckland should be dry with some cloud and a low possibility of showers in the afternoon.

Tuesday, he told the Herald, was forecast to be similar.

The South Island was also in line for warm weather this Waitangi week, Shiviti said.

“The only difference is that for the central high country – so about the ranges in the Canterbury High Country, stretching to Kahurangi and the Nelson lakes – we have actually observed a trend over the past three days where in the afternoon, we have some afternoon convection.”

This, he said, was mainly concentrated on higher ground and inland.

South Islanders could expect dry conditions on Wednesday and Thursday.

“For the next few days we’re actually expecting typical summer weather, in the way that we’re expecting mostly sunny skies with the odd cloud here and there.

“But [it will be] sunny for the most part with warm temperatures, and of course, it’s likely going to be warmer in the North Island compared to the South Island just because of the geographical location.”

Despite the overall prediction of sunshine, Shiviti warned a front coming in from the bottom of the South Island was scheduled to hit from the early hours on Thursday and gradually move up the island.

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