The weekend may start off calm for many regions, but by Sunday it’s likely to be quite a different story predicts WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says a combination of a large incoming high and a low south east of the country will create strong winds from the westerly quarter, then turn it southerly.  “The two systems are working to dredge up chilled air from nearer to Antarctica and while not coming from the frozen continent itself it will have a chilling affect on the country”.

“These two air pressure systems – one high and one low – will work in tandem to strengthen the westerly flow over the country on Saturday then turn it to a much colder southerly flow on Sunday in the South Island and cooler southerly flow for Monday in the North Island”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says while the worst of the change in weather won’t hit the upper North Island all New Zealanders will feel a chill in the air at some point between Sunday and Tuesday, along with wind and cloud.

Windwise the windy weather will really build in the deep south for Saturday then head northwards to Wellington.  “By Sunday the windier weather pushes north with windy conditions overnight Sunday and into Monday for much of New Zealand” says Mr Duncan.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the large high that will help create the wind and southerly change will also help push it off the country early next week, bringing settled weather everywhere by Wednesday and potentially leaving settled more average weather until the start of February.

– Homepage image / Joanne Ottey

– WeatherWatch.co.nz