KEY POINTS:
It's the last weekend of spring and conditions right across New Zealand are looking mostly settled and actually quite un-spring-like! A large area of high pressure should cover much of the country with settled weather just about everywhere.
If you're seeing the weather maps you might've picked up on a deep low out in the Tasman Sea. It's likely to really grow into something big on Saturday, however, the high will hold firm over New Zealand and the low should end up sliding away into the Southern Ocean without really having an effect on New Zealand.
So - what will our main weather features be this weekend?
Northerlies will develop around Wellington on Sunday and pick up over the South Island too. In fact, Monday - the first day of summer - may well be a hot one for many in central and southern parts of both islands. Mind you, with the recent spell of hot weather it's probably going to pale in comparison!
I'll be very interested to read NIWA's figures for November - I bet some places broke records or at least came close to it with a number of eastern areas receiving several days over 30 degrees.
Rain, from that low, may brush the South Island's West Coast and Southland on Sunday or Monday but at this stage it will probably be confined to mainly the Fiordland area. Northern New Zealand may also see a few afternoon heat showers popping up.
Finally, temperatures over northern New Zealand are likely to be in the low to mid 20s and if you're biking around Lake Taupo on Saturday take plenty of water! The daytime high, in the shade, will be 25 degrees and you could probably double that if you're out on the road in the sun - it will be hot! Skies should also be cloudless.
Philip Duncan
Pictured above: The Ladybirds in Space home-based childcare float had themed umbrellas during a Hamilton Christmas Parade. Photo / Sarah Ivey
For the latest weather news keep up to date with The Radio Network's new Weather Watch Centre or the NZ Herald weather section.
