Weather: Daylight saving to bring sunshine

Sunshine is on the way. Photo / Getty Images

Daylight saving should bring fine weather and plenty more sunshine for many parts of the country this week - but it comes with a warning to watch out for the sun's harsh rays.

Last week was a bit of a stinker for some as heavy rain hit the east and temperatures plummeted. But that is forecast to change, as daylight saving marks the time of the year when sunshine hours and temperatures rise.

"Although spring weather can be fickle, we see a large increase in the hours of bright sunshine at this time of year," said MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths.

On average, daily bright sunshine hours increase about 90 minutes in total between the beginning of spring in September and its final curtain in November.

This means people in Auckland see a daily rise from 5.1 hours to 6.4.

They say you can't beat Wellington on a good day, and there'll be more of those by the end of spring, as the capital bathes in an average of seven hours of bright sunshine a day, up from 5.4.

And in Christchurch, the difference is huge - up to 7.5 hours from 5.7.

"However, the current El Nino means a cooler than usual spring is on the cards for all regions of New Zealand," Ms Griffiths said.

"But regardless of the temperature, the days get longer and the hours of sunshine increase most rapidly at this time of year."

This week, many places could see the sun, although MetService is forecasting some showers, especially for the upper North Island, which could be hit with thunderstorms on Monday afternoon and evening.

Auckland is in for showers with a chance of hail or thunder, but the outlook improves on Tuesday, with fine spells and a chance of showers.

It will be mostly fine by Wednesday, followed by a sunny day or Thursday.

Temperatures are still far from their summer highs, but the Health Protection Agency is warning that ultraviolet rays are already strong enough to cause sunburn if we don't use protection.

It's reminding sun lovers to heed the "slip, slop, slap and wrap" message. That is slip on a shirt or into the shade, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap on a pair of sunglasses.

How's the start of the week looking?

* Whangarei
Monday: Showers with a chance of hail or thunder. 18C
Tuesday: A few showers. 18C
* Auckland
Monday: Showers with a chance of hail or thunder. 16C
Tuesday: Fine spells with the chance of a shower. 17C
* Hamilton
Monday: Showers with a chance of hail or thunder. 16C
Tuesday: Fine. 18C
* Tauranga
Monday: Showers with a chance of hail or thunder. 15C
Tuesday: Fine spells and a few showers. 17C
* Napier:
Monday: Fine at first and showers in the afternoon. 16C
Tuesday: Fine spells with a few showers. 16c
* Wellington:
Monday: Fine. 13C
Tuesday: Mostly fine. 14C
* Christchurch:
Monday: Fine and sunny. 15C
Tuesday: Fine 15C
* Dunedin:
Monday: Fine with the chance of a shower. 14C
Tuesday: Fine with the chance of a shower. 12C