Here’s what is making the weather headlines today.

HEAT CONTINUES – EASTERN NORTH ISLAND

Well the heat went up a notch for the eastern South Island yesterday reaching into the late twenties in the end, around 28 to 29 degrees for some spots in Canterbury. Today it will be noticeably cooler thanks to southerly winds.

The eastern North Island though has warm temperatures this afternoon then southerlies move in this evening cooling things down. While most likely not as hot as the eastern South Island was yesterday, highs could still reach up to 25 or 26 degrees.

SOUTHERLIES STRENGTHEN THROUGH COOK STRAIT THIS EVENING

As southerlies push up the east coast of the South Island this morning and afternoon winds aren’t particularly strong, perhaps initially as the change moves through then fresh about the coast. This evening as southerlies move through Cook Strait however winds should ramp up becoming quite strong, perhaps only an issue if you are crossing over on the Ferry, but they will still mostly likely run in the expected conditions.

MOISTURE DEFICITS – SOUTH ISLAND

The ground is becoming a bit dry for the South Island especially in the east so rain today will be welcome, it won’t be a silver bullet but none the less very helpful. The North Island is sitting fairly pretty however some dry weather is coming up, especially in the east.

Expected rainfall for the South Island over the next 7 days is looking average. The east coast in parts will still be a little drier than normal. The West Coast is expected to lean slightly wetter than average.