Winter's out: sunny, warm weather on way

Rob Storey and Ruth Moloney of the North Shore made the trip over the bridge to check out Auckland's new pop-up sauna on Sunday. Photo / Nick Reed

After a week of chilly nights and soggy commutes to work, some Aucklanders made the most of a chance to be warm again.

A pop-up sauna on Wynyard Quarter attracted those seeking toastier temperatures with views of the central city - Rob Storey and Ruth Moloney made the journey across the bridge from the North Shore to check it out.

But as spring creeps closer, meteorologists say there's several days of dry weather and even sunshine in the forecast from Tuesday or Wednesday.

Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan said this was thanks to a high pressure system and a lack of polar air.

"We will still see frosts - but they won't be severe and they won't be in places we don't expect for mid-August."

Duncan said places like Dunedin, which had low-level snow within the past week, will head for highs of 14 while spots inland, such as Queenstown, which dropped to double negatives last week, will this week drop to a maximum low of about -2C.

Duncan said the week ahead would be a great week for skiers and snowboarders too - and for farmers in the north and west looking for a break in the rain.

The balmy forecast is a stark contrast to this time five years ago when the country saw its most severe snowfall since 1976, a once-in-a-generation weather event that stopped mail, cancelled buses and closed schools.

Temperatures in Wellington peaked at 6.8C on August 14, 2011, with ice making many roads impassable. In the north, a handful residents were hospitalised after strong winds brought down trees and power lines. In the south many homes and businesses were entirely cut off, with flights grounded in Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin.

But the winter wonder also brought excitement and joy - the Beehive was blanketed in white, children everywhere delighted in making snowmen in their backyards, and the next day on August 15, Aucklanders were amazed to see snow flurries on Queen St.

This week in the main centres

Auckland
Today - Fine with a high of 14C and overnight low of 6C
Tomorrow - Fine with a high of 14C and overnight low of 6C
Wednesday - Fine with a high of 16C and overnight low of 7C

Wellington
Today - Fine with a high of 14C and overnight low of 7C
Tomorrow - Fine with a high of 13C and overnight low of 7C
Wednesday - Fine with a high of 13C and overnight low of 7C

Christchurch
Today - Partly cloudy with a high of 12C and overnight low of 0C
Tomorrow - Fine with a high of 14C and overnight low of 1C
Wednesday - Fine with a high of 15C and overnight low of 2C