Parts of Canterbury could hit 28C next week as warm air streams down from the tropics, although the unsettled conditions could also bring a dusting of snow to some areas.
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats told Breakfast said Ashburton was likely to reach 28C, Christchurch was tipped to hit 26C on Wednesday and Hastings could climb to 27C.
"The one really noticeable feature next week, though, is going to be the heat," she said.
"We've got this feed coming down from the tropics, quite a warm air mass."
However, the warmth would not last everywhere Keats said, with northerlies and southerlies set to collide during the week.
"They're going to hit, so we might even see some snow. It's a real mix next week."
A fresh band of rain will cross the South Island on Wednesday and the North Island on Thursday before a low forms in the Tasman Sea and moves in from the west.
"Things are going to be a little all over the show," she said.
Students head back for the start of term four on Monday. Keats said the first days of the week looked settled enough but "then things take a little bit of a turn".
Canterbury could reach 28C next week, but unsettled weather may also bring rain, strong winds and even snow as warm northerlies meet colder southerlies. (Source: Breakfast)
Showery end to the holidays
Before that, families heading home from the school holidays faced a mixed weekend.
Keats said a low to the northeast of the country had fed cloud and showers onto eastern areas, including Gisborne, while Wellington had endured "a pretty bleak couple of days".
She said this was likely to ease on Saturday.
"Tomorrow is probably the best day out of the weekend."
Scattered showers were forecast for both islands on Saturday, with downpours possible for north Taranaki overnight.
The east of the South Island looks like the best bet on Sunday, with Christchurch forecast to reach 24C and Ashburton 25C. Whangārei is expected to hit 23C.
Rugby fans have less to worry about. Keats said conditions for the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on Saturday night looked dry, with a few clouds, northeasterly winds and temperatures between 13C and 20C at kickoff.
"They'll be playing under perfect conditions. I don't see any complaints," she said.
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