Sunday’s outlook – sunny over the North Island but northerlies building over the South.  Data: NCEP;  Graphics: IGES/COLA

It’s not perfect everywhere but compared to the past three months many will be enjoying the more settled weather today and this weekend as a summer-like high pressure system moves across New Zealand.

The high stretches from southern Australia, across the Tasman Sea and over New Zealand – and is expected to continue strengthening up until Sunday.  “However some areas will suffer from anticylonic gloom” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.  “This is basically low cloud that develops over the relatively mild sea water so affects mainly coastal regions such as Auckland”.  But in between the clouds – and maybe the odd very light shower – most coastal places will see a relatively good weekend.

“A very weak front has been caught up on the outskirts of this high, travelling mainly along the eastern side of the country.  This means a few brief showers will move up the east coast of the country today, reaching Northland by late Saturday”.

Mr Duncan says those in the west and inland should have a spectacular couple of days ahead.

But as the first day of September rolls around on Monday the first spring storm may well be developing.  “Luckily it looks far enough south to not pose too much of a headache for the country but it could bring severe gales to the lower part of the South Island and heavy rain for the West Coast”.

For more on this weekend’s weather – and for more on when Spring “officially” begins, click to this link at the NZ Herald: http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/weather-watch/2008/8/29/great-conditions-predicted-ski-fields/?c_id=1501977