A colder more wintry change is moving back into NZ on Friday after a warmer than average week for many places. Daytime highs in parts of the South Island have been over 8 degrees above normal this week – but Friday and the weekend look cooler, with the colder air peaking for some on Monday as it moves northwards and into the eastern North Island.

Temperatures will tumble in Southland on Friday by several degrees on where they are for today. Further north and Canterbury will see a temperature drop of over 10 degrees on the daytime highs you’ve had this week, with Christchurch dropping from highs this week in the low 20s C to a high of +11 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – and potentially a high of only +8C on Monday.

That same colder air on Monday will be pushed into the North Island by expanding high pressure over the South Island. So while Hawke’s Bay has had a very mild week, next week looks significantly cooler.

To drill down deeper check NZ’s most *accurate HOURLY temperature forecasts at both WeatherWatch.co.nz and RuralWeather.co.nz (*powered by IBM).

You can also check out Minimum and Maximum Temperature Maps, plus Below Zero Temperature Maps by clicking/tapping here.