For some the southerly change hasn’t yet arrived but across Saturday most – if not all – of New Zealand will be under a cooler wind flow compared to a week ago.

“This time last week highs across New Zealand were mainly heading between 16 and 23 degrees.  This weekend it’s more like 11 to 18 degrees” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

“The change isn’t a major one, but it will be noticeable after the much warmer than average weather of recent weeks in many parts of both islands”.

Brisk sou’westers will affect exposed parts of the country and the ‘feels like’ temperature (which takes into account things like wind chill) will feel a couple degrees cooler than the forecast highs when in the wind. 

Showers may continue over Saturday across northern areas but are expected to ease in the morning.

The southerly quarter wind flow will also mean some areas are spectacularly sunny this weekend – by Sunday more regions are expected to be dry, sunny and settled as high pressure starts to move in.

On the southern edge of this high (over the lower South Island) winds will tilt more westerly by Sunday, bringing a few degrees extra warmth back to places like Southland and Otago.

– Homepage image / File, Natalie Narayan

– WeatherWatch.co.nz