This afternoon’s weather across New Zealand is extremely different from one region to another as a ‘spring like’ weather pattern remains in place, according to WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says it’s a bit like temperatures and showers have been randomly scattered across the nation.  “It really is a crazy afternoon with some regions near 30 degrees and other places relatively nearby much colder.  Meanwhile we have sunny skies over the North Island but a narrow band of torrential rain moving up the west coast”.

Mr Duncan says in Gisborne it’s 28 degrees this hour but in Waiouru on the Central Plateau it’s only 11. 

Hastings has 26 but Masterton just 16.  Whakatane has 26 but Cape Reinga 18.

In the South Island Blenheim has 24 but Christchurch just 15.  Akaroa has just 12 but Timaru is almost on 20.

“It really is quite bizarre the spread of temperatures today.  A combination of some cold air moving up the nation but at the same time localised nor’westers and sheltered areas are enjoying the summer heat”.

Some parts of Southland are just 9 degrees this afternoon.

Meanwhile in the North Island New Plymouth was hit by a brief but very heavy downpour around lunchtime.  Local WeatherWatch reporter John Blackman says the rain was coming in sideways but has now cleared.  WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts a mostly dry but perhaps cooler evening for Fleetwood Mac tonight in the city.

The narrow band of heavy rain is now moving up the North Island’s west coast and is likely to bring a briefly heavy downpour to Waikato, Auckland and possibly west coast Northland later this afternoon or evening.  “The front is weakening as it heads north and as of 2:30pm it was brushing King Country and heading towards Waitomo and western Waikato”.

In the South Island and heavy afternoon showers have created a few thunderstorms around northern Canterbury.

The start of next week looks drier for much of New Zealand.