Strong winds, high temperatures and heavy rain are the weather features to watch heading into the weekend – all affecting different parts of the country.

The northwesterly winds right along the South Island’s east coast – up through to about the Cook Strait area – will likely be strong during the afternoon hours.
There’s perhaps a low risk of gales about exposed parts, the usual hill tops, river gorges and valleys inland.

Temperatures along the east of both islands will likely be high – getting into the low 30s, and perhaps even a low chance of mid 30 temps(!) about inland parts of Hawkes Bay this might be pushing it, but conditions are right for a sweltering day in that part of the country.

Although there will be some heavy rain about Fiordland, that’s about it for the end of another week.

Main Centres

Auckland

Warm and sunny, with afternoon sea breezes – and a high in the mid to late 20s – in short, a cracking day for the city of sails.

Wellington

Northerlies pick up in the afternoon as cloud sticks around, though temperatures should get up towards the mid 20s in the afternoon.

Christchurch

High cloud sticks around in Christchurch, but it won’t stop the mercury rising – we’re looking at temperatures getting into the early 30s along with gusty and at times strong northwest winds.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Photo: Zelda Wynn