Expected rainfall for the next seven days. Photo / Weatherwatch
The last days of summer are expected to dawn hot and dry with a few showers, MetService says.
After a scorcher of a weekend - with the mercury soaring to 30C in Taumarunui, 29C in Hamilton and 28C in the City of Sails - Metservice forecaster Paul Ngamanu didn't expect much to change in the week ahead.
"This week's weather will be much the same as last week. We're hoping to get a few more showers for those drought-stricken places in the north, maybe," he said.
WeatherWatch's March outlook shows a few "gaps" or areas of possible rain and showers between the huge highs that have led to drought in parts of the country.
The best chances for rain - during a break between two highs - fall on this Tuesday and Wednesday and at the end of next week.
Ngamanu said another front is expected to move onto the country on Tuesday, bringing rain and showery conditions to the South Island, moving to the North Island come Wednesday.
"A heavy rain watch is in place for Westland and Fiordland in the South Island on Monday and Tuesday," Ngamanu said.
But the front will weaken as it moves up to the North Island, so no decent showers are expected in the areas that really need it, he said.
Aucklanders can expect temperatures reaching for 25C until Thursday, with light showers on Wednesday and Thursday.
Wellington's looking a little cooler, with a forecasted high of 23C on Monday and the temperature cooling down to 19C on Wednesday as showers hit the capital.
What is the coming week looking like? Here is a quick 5-day weather summary
Monday in Southland π‘ Tuesday in Westland β Wednesday in Canterbury π§₯ Thursday in Hawke's Bay β Friday in Christchurch π¨