Sunshine, beach days and backyard barbecues are finally in Kiwis' sights this Labour Day weekend, as more settled weather brings a much-needed reprieve from the thunderstorms, rain and severe gales of this past week.
While most of the country will be enjoying the warmer weather to come, a slow-moving area of low-pressure drifting to the north of the country will bring with it cloudier skies and showers to the north for the start of the long weekend.
"For many there's plenty to look forward to this long weekend no matter where you'll be! While we will be seeing some cloudier skies in the north at first this weekend, there is an improvement in the weather for the second half from Northland to the Bay of Plenty," MetService meteorologist John Law said.
"If you are off to the east coast, the first half of the weekend looks best, with cloudier skies returning for the second half."
The West Coast of the South Island is expected to stay dry "with spells of sunshine".
"Thickening cloud in the east could bring an odd shower through the long weekend but there will be plenty of dry weather to enjoy," Law said.
Temperatures across the South Island will dip as some cooler air moves further north on Sunday, before returning to warmer temperatures on Monday.
In Christchurch, temperatures will drop from a high of 18C on Saturday to 12C on Sunday, before again hitting 18C on Monday.
Whanganui is forecast stay dry all weekend, with temperatures reaching 20C.
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