Yet another surge of ‘late spring’ weather is about to push across most of New Zealand – but it may be the last for a couple of weeks according to forecasters at WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The weather news authority says a large low in the Southern Ocean will push up against high pressure north of the country over the next three days – that means heavy rain in the west and more hot winds in the east.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the heat will push in today along with rain in the west and north, then cooler conditions spread to most places as we go into the weekend.  “It will be another scorcher in the east today, we’re predicting Christchurch will hit the late 20s with inland parts of Canterbury potentially hitting the low 30s again”.

Mr Duncan says the hot northerly or north westerly will also move into Marlborough, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne with highs in the late 20s or even low 30s – but as you head north temperature may appear to drop.  “Air temperatures will drop as you head north under cloudier weather however humidity levels will be much higher in the north so it will feel hot and sticky, especially if the sun comes out”.

By the end of the day the risk for thunderstorms may lift in the South Island’s west and south as colder air approaches from the Southern Ocean.   Those thunderstorms could continue into Thursday morning.

Over Thursday and Friday a strengthening westerly then south westerly flow will cross New Zealand bringing showers, possibly heavy ones before easing over the weekend with cool nights and warm days.

“As I said back in November the spring weather pattern would continue into the start of December – but there’s a big chunk of dry, settled, weather coming in from Australia starting this weekend and potentially lasting up until the days before Christmas”.

As for Christmas day?  WeatherWatch.co.nz will have the first prediction out next week!

– WeatherWatch.co.nz