As the Indian Summer pushes on across many regions the advice from WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters is to make the most of it – a significant cold change is on the way.

This afternoon Auckland is basking in 23 degrees with mostly sunny skies and a gentle northerly breeze.

Most northern and eastern parts of the North Island are currently around 22 and 23 degrees while South Islanders have highs in the mid to late teens.

But a large low pressure system is about to fire up a cold southerly change for New Zealand with temperatures tumbling by several degrees.

On Tuesday daytime highs will plummet with places like Wellington and Invercargill, most exposed to the wind, only reaching 13 degrees.

Most other areas should only be between 12 and 17 degrees, well down on today’s temperatures.  Only Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Northland will be in the late teens but the wind chill factor will mean the ‘feels like’ temperature will also be in the low to mid teens in the wind by Wednesday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says that Christchurch is most likely in for their most miserable week of weather since before the September 4 earthquake last year.

The city is in for rain on Tuesday then showers and cold winds all week.  Highs are unlikely to climb much over 13 or 14 degrees.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz