The week ahead is looking fairly variable, temperatures overall will be average to warm however mid week a cool southerly blast brings temperatures down for a time mainly in the east of the country.

For today’s weather feel free to check out this morning’s national forecast here.

Tuesday sees a ridge lie over the North Island extending out from an anticyclone far to the east of New Zealand in the Pacific Ocean, expect sunny areas and some cloud for most with east to northeast winds. Skies may be fairly cloudy to start about the Bay Of Plenty and along the east coast, a few isolated showers popping up in the afternoon from Northland down through to the Waikato.

A northwesterly airflow lies over the South Island, cloudy areas in the west with a few showers at times mainly afternoon onwards. Mostly sunny for Nelson and Marlborough, late afternoon / evening isolated showers are possible however. Canterbury has a mostly sunny day, a few isolated showers may move into South Canterbury in the evening however. Otago sees sunny areas and some cloud, isolated showers possible late afternoon / evening especially in the east which brings the chance of a heavy fall and thunderstorm. Sunny areas for Southland with westerly winds, a few late afternoon isolated showers.

Sunny areas and some cloud over the North Island on Wednesday, westerly quarter winds for most regions. The odd shower for the afternoon mainly Auckland southwards, the east coast has a great day and Wellington sees southerlies move in during the evening with cloud. Southerlies push north along the South Island’s east coast during the day bringing cloud and showers. Morning cloud and a few showers on the West Coast then expect afternoon sunny areas as a front moves through.

Come Thursday and conditions settle down, a weak low lies over New Zealand. Any morning cloud clears to mostly sunny weather, winds light with afternoon sea breezes for most. Isolated showers in the afternoon for some Central North Island areas, the odd shower hangs around on the West Coast north of Hokitika also.

Friday is looking good, light winds and afternoon sea breezes for most with mainly sunny weather.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz