Welcome to winter: The days ahead
We are now in meteorological winter, which runs from June 1st - August 31st, whereas astronomical winter runs from June 21st - September 21st.
Over the next week expect above normal temperatures especially over the South Island, both during the day and night with frosts becoming a little less likely. It is going to dry for the most part apart from brief periods of showers on Wednesday and Thursday, especially over the Northern and Western North Island.
Monday: Largely dry across the country under a ridge of high pressure, one or two showers are possible about coastal Waikato at times. Above average temperatures are expected during the day, overnight temperatures below normal for the North Island, variable over the South Island.
Tuesday: A ridge of high pressure holds firm over New Zealand. There could be the odd north of about Whangarei, but dry elsewhere. Temperatures are expected to be below normal for the North Island, but above normal for the South Island.
Wednesday: A trough north of New Zealand creeps south, and could bring showers or occasional rain north of about the Coromandel Peninsula, there is uncertainty regarding total rainfall totals and how far south rainfall may dip south. Temperatures remain slightly below normal over the North Island but again above normal for the South Island.
Thursday: That trough should sink south on Thursday, with the risk for showers stretching over the North Island. There remains uncertainty in how far south this rain band will sink along with rainfall totals. Temperatures trending above normal for most.
