The sou’westers that many WeatherWatch readers describe as ‘terrible’ have finally eased in Auckland and across a number of other regions.

The change to a light nor’wester today for much of the North Island has been met with relief despite the low cloud and higher humidity in the north and west. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz selected a few Aucklanders at random this morning and found that overwhelmingly today’s weather was preferred to the sou’westers of late.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the rest of the week will be a bit “ground hog day”.  “We’re going to see a very large low in the Tasman Sea which will fuel a warm, humid, nor’west flow over the north and west of the country.  While many are relieved to see the sou’westers ease I’d imagine after five days of low cloud and rain or drizzle many will be wanting things to change once again!”.

Mr Duncan says overnight lows in Auckland and Whangarei will barely drop below 18 this week.

But how long will it last?  At this stage Philip Duncan believes the mainly northerly flow will remain over the country until at least early next week.

Meanwhile in the South Island an easterly wind continues to keep Christchurch cold.  Today’s high is only 11.  Tomorrow a sou’wester will move in but it’s unlikely to be very strong.

And if you live in Southland you’ll be relieved to know warmer winds are on the way.  Gales have lashed the southern region for much of November but winds over the next week look somewhat lighter, although it certainly won’t be calm.