New Zealand has true spring weather over the next 7 days with 30 degrees possible today and Saturday for some in the east of both main islands, then a colder change on Sunday and Monday hacks back those temperatures and brings a dusting of snow along the Southern Alps.

Areas most likely to be in the upper 20s or even the lower 30s will be from mid Canterbury to Gisborne and that chance is on both Friday and Saturday afternoons. Western areas aren’t as hot. The top of the North Island may also be in the mid to late 20s for a time (if sunny conditions prevail where you are).

Windy nor-westers with sub-tropical connections fuels the heat initially – but lighter winds from the south make for cooler conditions with low single digit temperatures overnight for some inland parts of the South Island on Sunday and into early next week.

Later next week those warmer, windier, nor’westers return – ahead of the next Tasman Sea cold front.

We also take a look at NZ’s upcoming 7 Day Rainfall.