Long range models are indicating that a northerly flow is going to dominate our weather next week with winds mostly from the northerly quarter across many regions.

This prediction means that the country could be in for a warmer week of weather with overnight lows especially jumping up.

Daytime highs this week have bounced back finally to pre-cold front conditions – the cold front being the southerly change that moved through over 10 days ago bringing snow to the South Island ranges and frosts as far north as Central Plateau.

Since then the winds have mostly come in from the southerly quarter or died out altogether.

The light winds have meant high daytime temperatures in Auckland and the upper North Island but with cooler overnight lows.

Next week sees our current high pressure system departing slowly to the east, while a new low in the Tasman Sea helps drive in the northerly wind flow across the country.

But the northerly doesn’t mean hot weather for everyone.  Early indications for Canterbury show the winds may tilt more north easterly, which isn’t especially warm for Christchurch.

However it’s too early to have specific forecasts for next week – we’ll keep you posted in the coming days on the likely set up of next week’s highs and lows.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

Homepage image / David Shone