After a weekend of intense winds MetService is forecasting brighter skies and warmer temperatures for the early part of this week.

The reprieve will be short-lived, however, with winds strengthening and wet weather spreading across the country from Wednesday.

Tuesday brings a marked east–west contrast across the country.

In western areas, a quick check of the rain radar before heading out could prove useful as a few showers are possible, with heavier bursts in western parts of Te Waipounamu/South Island.

Meanwhile, the east will see a different story, with sunnier skies and temperatures several degrees above average for the time of year.

“Only a few days ago, parts of Hawke’s Bay struggled to reach double-digit daytime temperatures. Over the next couple of days, highs in the 20s will be common across eastern areas of the country,” said MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.

“Even Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington is set for a warm spring day on Tuesday.

”From Wednesday, the weather begins to shift as northwesterly winds pick up over the Te Waipounamu/South Island and the lower parts of Te Ika-a-Māui/North Island. A Strong Wind Watch is in place for all of Canterbury for Wednesday.

“Those unsettled northwesterlies will give the second half of the week a very spring-like feel. Keep an eye on MetService channels for any updated severe weather information in the coming days.”

Along with the strengthening winds, a rain band will move across Te Waipounamu/South Island on Wednesday, reaching Te Ika-a-Māui/North Island on Thursday.

A Watch for Heavy Rain is in place for the ranges of Westland, as well as the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers on Wednesday.

Even once the main band of rain has passed, showers will linger before clearing by the end of Friday, while temperatures dip back to the low to mid-teens for most.

“There’s a good mix of weather this week and plenty of opportunities to practise weather terms in te reo Māori during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori [Māori Language Week],” Makgabutlane added.