Warmth to return on Monday, followed by a cool change mid-week

After last week’s heatwave brought record temperatures to parts of Aotearoa, a cold front swept up the country on Friday and Saturday, which saw temperatures return closer to their average. On Friday morning the front lashed southern New Zealand with gales, and also dumped 33.8mm of rain in one hour at Milford Sound.

A ridge of high pressure followed quickly in behind the front, with settled weather returning to southern and central New Zealand for most of the weekend. Meanwhile, a showery easterly flow developed over northern New Zealand.

Metservice Meteorologist Peter little added, “The warmth returns at the beginning of this week as a northwesterly flow spreads over the country ahead of an approaching front. While not expected to be as widespread or prolonged as last week’s heatwave, several places in the east will likely experience afternoon temperatures over 30°C. The front moves over southern New Zealand on Tuesday and the remainder of the country on Wednesday, followed by a cool southerly change. For Christchurch we’re forecasting maximum temperatures of 30°C or more on Monday and Tuesday. After the passage of the cold front a high of just 16°C is likely on Waitangi Day.”

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