We have some unsettled weather in the days ahead but early next week it may well be quite pleasant. While a southerly is today heading northwards a westerly kicks in this Friday and weekend with strong to gale force winds, turning cooler SW by Monday.

But as early as Tuesday next week we may be feeling a sub-tropical flow down across some parts of New Zealand, lifting temperatures once again above average. It should affect regions in both islands for a time, then followed by more westerlies out of the Australia region. Even if the sub-tropical winds don’t reach you, there are plenty of mild westerlies coming from Australia too.

This set up encourages more warmer than average days next week. It also encourages more rain in the western side of NZ, particularly south of Mt Taranaki. The flip side will be drier than average weather along much of the eastern coastline from the Bay of Islands to the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne down to Gore.

Of course, this set up isn’t the best for the ski fields which could do with a few more wetter, colder, southerlies. The best chances for snow on the ski fields will be between now and Sunday.

– Possible set up next Tuesday sees warmer than average weather over most of New Zealand for early August.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz