The middle of August marks the beginning of the end of winter and our prediction for the rest of this month? You’ll continue to experience September’s weather a month early.

The gusty and changeable westerly wind flow has already started, something that usually kicks in next month closer to the equinox.  It’s not to say it will be windy for the next six weeks but certainly August won’t be dominated by day after day of light winds and large highs.

In fact, the highs look less dominant for much of the remainder of August allowing the westerlies to prevail, swinging between nor’westers and sou’westers. Lows are also back in the mix.

A few sunny, settled days are in the picture for the country too, with eastern areas most likely to see the sun.

Rain and showers should help return dry farms and properties in the north back to where they should be, which is one benefit from the upcoming changeable weather pattern.

Certainly some of the downpours on Monday helped top things up in the north.

What about snow?
The long range forecast isn’t too kind for snow falling in the North Island.  For example, the next 10 days in Ohakune see highs of around 8 or 9 degrees and overnight lows above zero.

In Queenstown the 10 day forecast is even warmer, with highs into double digits, mostly 11 and 12 degrees.

Overnight lows in both the north and south will be low enough to make snow on the mountains at night but it looks as though Mother Nature may not be contributing much herself this month.

There’s always September – and short, sharp, snow storms are well documented  in mid to late spring too – although our warmer than average pattern may well continue into September at this stage.

– Image / Laura Jerome

– WeatherWatch.co.nz