Another dusting of snow on the South Island mountains this morning has left a few people asking if this is Autumn already – the answer is no, but with a but. While summer heat will continue through the next month or two it is probably safe to say that the South Island has probably peaked with summer heat.

The next few days will see a gradual warm up – but long range data suggests we may not be seeing many 30+ days coming up with highs mainly in the mid 20s.

New Zealand is no stranger to a dusting of snow in mid summer. On January 22nd last year a headline at WeatherWatch.co.nz read “When is Summer Coming?” when Mt Taranaki was covered in a fresh dusting of snow. A poll back in January last year revealed 61% were disappointed with summer. A poll currently on the WeatherWatch.co.nz website shows a majority want cooler weather in February while just 13.5% want it to be even hotter.

You were absolutely correct!
Just a dusting overnight Monday. pic.twitter.com/APjXwLGCLT

— John Wedlake (@Oletinner) February 5, 2018

With a high pressure system rolling in this week temperatures will return to normal for South Islanders. Overnight lows will be in the single digits for the next couple of nights but by the end of the week and weekend the humid nor’east flow around New Zealand will see overnight lows in the mid teens and low 20s.

In fact the North Island is about to get very humid again thanks to the sub-tropical flow with overnight temperatures dropping only a few degrees from daytime highs.

An easterly flow in northern New Zealand will kick in this week before the north to north east flow at the weekend. Winds may become quite brisk in exposed areas with rain in Northland heavy at times. 

Where’s our summer gone I’m wondering ? Feeling more like spring. @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/joQq0Ynvxm

— DonG (@gracedon1) February 5, 2018

Areas in orange indicate gales, yellow = brisk.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz (an official IBM business partner)