That old adage — summer only really kicks in when the children go back to school — seems to be holding true as schools open their doors again this week.
While there may be the occasional passing shower, most of this week has temperatures forecast to be well into the 20s, headed for 30degC at the end of the week.
MetService meteorologist Angus Hines said a slow-moving low was expected to remain to the northwest of the upper North Island until Tuesday, then move southwards over the Tasman Sea from Wednesday to Friday.
"This low delivers rain and heavy showers to the upper North Island through to Tuesday, then rain spreads to the northern and western parts of the South Island from Wednesday," Mr Hines said.
Between Wednesday and Friday, heavy rain was likely for Westland and Northern Fiordland, and showers were likely for parts of Otago and Southland.
He said the showers would be caused by the warm air mass which was causing devastating flooding around the North Island.
"The warm humid air mass which is currently over the North Island, is smearing out a bit to the South Island, and over the week it will stick around."
The air mass would also cause temperatures to rise, he said.
"It’s looking to be very warm across the majority of the South Island actually.
"There will be warm days and especially warm nights. The overnight temperatures are further removed from the average temperatures than the warmer afternoons for the majority of the lower South Island.
"You’re looking at those warm, sticky nights where temperatures sit around 18degC in many places."
He said the wind would shift to a more northerly direction, creating a foehn effect and causing temperatures to climb even higher later in the week.
Daytime temperatures were expected to reach the early 30s in Central Otago and the Lakes District, and would reach the high 20s along coastal Otago and Southland, he said.
"You’ve had some pretty nice summery weather over the last wee while.
"Compared to the most of the North Island, I think people down south won’t be complaining about the weather they’ve had over the last month.
"It looks like you’re getting triple the amount of sun that they’re getting up north."
