The settled weather of the past week, brought about by a ridge of high pressure, has moved off to the east of the country and MetService is now forecasting a shift to wetter, windier but even warmer weather for many.
Meteorologist April Clark said a broad area of low pressure was rolling in from the west, and the north-to-northwest flow ahead of the weather system would bring warm, humid air from as far north as northern Queensland to New Zealand over the next few days.
The subtropical air would provide fuel for heavy bouts of rain which were expected over the western coasts, and warmer temperatures despite an increase in rain and cloud across the country.
Strong wind and heavy rain watches have been issued for today as one of many fronts moves over the South Island.
A heavy rain watch has been issued for Fiordland, north of Doubtful Sound, between 4am and 2pm today. The amounts are expected to reach warning criteria.
Strong northwest winds may approach severe gale speeds in exposed parts of the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago areas between 8am and 4pm and northerly winds may approach severe gale force in Fiordland between 6am and noon today.
However, temperatures are expected to reach 22degC in Dunedin and 23degC in Alexandra and Oamaru today.
The South Island’s hot spell is expected to be brief as the front, then a number of low-pressure systems, move across the island today.
Although these lows keep the warmest air at bay to the north, they spread the rain across the east-west divide so that both the West Coast and the southeastern regions of the South Island will see bouts of rain throughout the weekend.
Severe northwest gales are also expected to hit all of Otago and Southland on Monday and Tuesday next week.
