June has been a mixed month of weather with a winter storm that saw hurricane force winds over 200km/h in Wellington and snow drifts of up to three metres in the South Island hill country, but the month was also balanced with plenty of calm, mild, days.

As July kicks off on Monday a new weather pattern is being ushered in for the following week or two – a pattern dominated by westerlies.

“It looks more like a spring set up than a mid-winter one” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.  “High pressure is strong over Australia and the upper North Island next week, while very low air pressure circles Antarctica.  New Zealand is in the squash zone in bewteen, truly the Roaring Forties next week”.

Mr Duncan says the winds aren’t predicted to be major, rather they will be strong enough to keep many South & North Island centres frost free. 

“We have west to north west winds for eastern New Zealand next week. These regions struggled to reach double digit highs last week but next week Christchurch can expect nor’westers, plenty of sun, a little high cloud at times and daytime highs of about 14 degrees”.

Dunedin is looking similar with highs of 13.

“The South Island and lower North Island will be affected by this westerly wind flow through all of next week and into next weekend.  The upper North Island will have mostly settled weather thanks to a ridge of high pressyure and by the end the working week winds from the sub-tropics will push down over the upper North Island too”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes there are some risks for severe weather next week.  While we believe winds will be below severe gale for the most part, gale force winds are possible about southern areas of both islands at various times next week.  Rain may also become heavy on the West Coast, particularly the further south you are.

The warmer prediction for next week comes hot on the heels of a very frosty morning across some parts of New Zealand this morning.

Is it frosty where you are this morning?  Let us know where you are and how cold it is by posting a comment below.