Warmer than average weather looks set to dominate the start of this week as the sun shines over Central Otago. 

Cromwell-raised MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris says the warmer weather is due to a northwesterly flow. 

Today is forecast to maintain high clouds with northerly breezes. 

“The end of meteorological winter is getting close and this week does have a very spring like feel to it,” Lewis says. 

“Temperatures through the first half of the week look likely to be well above average thanks to a fairly persistent northwesterly wind flow across the Southern Alps.” 

Northerly winds will bring warmer than average temperatures to Aotearoa New Zealand, according to MetService. 

Tuesday looks fine with a few clouds, while northerlies, while Wednesday will be partly cloudy with the north westerlies dying out. 

“This warming phenomena is known as the ‘foehn wind’ and is responsible for the record hot temperature in New Zealand. (42.4°C in Rangiora, 1973),” Lewis says. 

On Thursday the forecast is cloudy, with rain developing later in the day, with light winds. 

For Friday, rain will clear in the morning but it looks to remain cloudy with easterly winds.

“Dry but cloudy conditions are on the cards until Thursday with quite breezy northwest winds for elevated areas.

“The wet weather is forecast to develop later on Thursday and hang around into Friday.”

Looking forward to the weekend, the forecast predicts partly cloudy with light winds on both Saturday and Sunday.

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