By Cleo Fraser
Holidaymakers in the lower North Island hoping to enjoy some sunshine this long weekend may have to put their plans on ice with a cold snap forecast to spoil the break.
But for those celebrating Auckland Anniversary weekend the following week things are looking brighter, according to forecasters.
Manawatu, Wairarapa and Wellington can expect light winds on Saturday turning into gales and rain by Monday.
Wellingtonians are set to be hit by the worst of the bad weather, with chilling blistery southerlies and downpours likely on Sunday and Monday. Temperatures are set to hit as low as 12 degrees.
"It all goes downhill on Monday," Weather Watch analyst Phillip Duncan told NZ Newswire.
"The bad weather will probably affect everybody in the lower North Island but Wellington especially."
The cold snap will move up through the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay before fading out by Tuesday.
The chill will also hit the South Island, with some ares of Southland struggling to reach double digits on Sunday and Monday.
The rest of the country is likely to see cooler temperatures throughout.
North of Taupo, excluding the Hawke's Bay, can expect cloudy but warm weather over Auckland Anniversary weekend although easterlies were likely, with the possibility of showers on the east coast of Northland.
Mr Duncan said predictions for the start of next month were not looking good.
"There shows a gap between the current high and the next one which is way out near Perth so there could be a few days or even a week of unsettled weather."
NZN