It's a BBQ kinda day: Sunshine, warm temperatures expected all across NZ

Thursday, 19 September 2019

The sunny weather is set to continue around the country this weekend.

If you're wanting to crank out the barbecue this weekend ahead of the All Blacks match, go for it, the weather is in your favour.

Over the next few days, temperatures are expected to reach into the late teens and early 20s for many parts of the country, with little wind and rain forecast.

The warm spell sweeping up the country is due to a large, slow moving high that will last until the end of the week.

MetService meteorologist Larissa Marintchenko said most Kiwis can expect the next few days to be warm, calm and especially nice on Sunday.

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The sun will be out for many places on Thursday, especially in the capital. However some isolated showers were expected to form over the top of the North Island, and in the far south around Fiordland.

Marintchenko said the east coast of the North Island would likely have the highest temperature on Thursday, with around 18 degrees Celsius expected.

Aucklanders would have a fine day, with a high of 17C predicted, however there was a chance of light showers in the afternoon.

Is is time to crank out the BBQ? (File photo)

Wellingtonians have a fine day ahead with a high of 14C forecast. Canterbury had a cooler start to the day with frosts about the region, however it's going to be a nice, settled day with a high of 16C.

Dunedin was also off to a cooler start, but residents can expect a sunny day with a high of 15C.

Marintchenko said Friday would follow a similar pattern, with fine weather predicted for most of the country.

In the North Island, high temperatures would reach to about 17C-18C. In the south, high temperatures would hang around 15C-16C.

But for the weekend, think long walks along the beach and BBQs, because it's going to be a stunner.

The sun is expected to shine across most of the country on Saturday, but Marintchenko said 'the warmest day will be Sunday because of northwesterly winds'.

Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and the eastern parts of the South Island; Marlborough and Canterbury, are expected to have the sunniest days, with the warmest temperatures.

On Sunday, Blenheim is also forecast to have a high of 21C.

Despite the fine days, there was still a change for some early-morning frosts in Otago, Wairarapa and for central parts of the North Island, Marintchenko said.

However for many people, the nights would feel slightly warmer compared to earlier in the week.

The All Blacks will play South Africa for their Rugby World Cup opener in Yokohama on Saturday night. The game kicks off at 9.45pm (NZ time).