If there’s one thing about the forecast for the next week ahead it’s one that goes up and down in true Autumn fashion. The highs are shifting further north up the country and the Southern Ocean storms are growing in size as darkness descends on Antarctica for the next half year. 

This places New Zealand in the zone of changeable weather with more settled weather in the north of the country, hottest weather in the east and wettest in the west. The cooler southerlies are increasingly impacting the South Island too, especially Southland and Otago which are first to usually see the change into Autumn.

The winds are mostly from the westerly quarter in the forecast for the start of April and this means warm days when it’s north west and cooler days when it’s south west. 

As we head further into April expect more of a break between the highs allowing for more southerlies (and also allowing any tropical lows to drop south – the tropics is still very active but NZ is now protected from cyclones due to this current northern high pressure belt).

Current Main Weather Highlights:

• Showers in the North Island today, and clouds mostly cover New Zealand.
• High pressure is gradually strengthening on Friday around both islands bringing more sun.
• On Saturday, another trough approaches the country and passes through the South Island.
• The trough may be active and give localised heavy rain on the West Coast.
• However, high pressure becomes stronger again over New Zealand on Sunday and sunshine returns. Winds ease.
• Maximum temperatures are 18-23C in most major cities of New Zealand until Sunday which is warm.
• Minimum temperatures, however, may be lower on Sunday morning due to cooling country.
• There are risks of frost or freeze, so crops management should be under way. 

– WeatherWatch.co.nz