Lucky Kiwis in Alexandra enjoyed temperatures of 25.9C yesterday as a persistent ridge of high pressure pushed daytimes temperatures well above their October average for much of inland New Zealand.

“As the high remains over the country today, sunny skies continue to dominate and temperatures at most centres will again, push into the low and mid twenties,” says April Clark MetService Meteorologist.

“However, a front will finally muscle its way onto the lower South Island tomorrow and gradually move north over the rest of the country, bringing an end to the dry spell and warm temperatures.”

As the front moves onto the South Island tomorrow, a burst of heavy rain and cooler air moves onto the very south of the South Island with a strong southerly change. Northwest winds also strengthen ahead of the front with Wellington expected to return to a more typical spring-like forecast of strong gusty northerlies tomorrow.

As the front moves north on Thursday, both sides of the South Island, as well as the lower North Island, receive a dose of rain. The Thursday forecast maximum temperature for Christchurch is a chilly 16C, compared to the balmy 26C expected on Wednesday. A similar drop in temperature behind the front is expected over the eastern coasts of the North Island on Friday even though the front greatly weakens (as does the rain band) as it moves north over Northland.

Looking further ahead, the weekend looks set to remain unsettled, as weather features from both the north and south are signalled to make their way onto the country.

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