MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said in the days before the long weekend the weather was forecast to be mainly warm and dry across Otago and Southland, with temperatures reaching 23°C in places.
It would remain warm and mostly dry in Central Otago and the Queenstown-Lakes district on Saturday, but a change to more southwesterly winds would cause temperatures to plummet to the low teens in coastal areas of the southern regions, she said.
"Behind it into Saturday, we’ll see the wind flow generally remaining westerly, but gradually it will start to turn southwest.
"In the latter part of Saturday, going into Sunday, we will see another weak front — probably weaker than the previous one — bringing winds from the southwest and a brief period of high pressure.
"So by Sunday, the temperatures for most inland areas will still be OK, but along the coastal area, those southwesterly winds will make things just a little bit chilly.
"Sunday looks like it will be the most settled weather day of the long weekend.
"That ridge of high pressure will hopefully remain for most of the day, but as the day goes on, we will start to see those winds turn back towards a westerly."
At this stage, the warmest place to be over the weekend was expected to be Alexandra on Labour Day (Monday), when the temperature was forecast to reach 19°C.
She said the rest of next week was looking to be mainly wet for the southern regions.
"So make the most of the weekend."
