Spring beginning to feel a bit like a relay run?

It’s been an active spring so far with changeable weather and it’s starting to feel like there’s only a short chance to catch a breath before the next leg begins, the MetService warns.

In Tauranga, periods of rain are forecast for today before turning fine later in the evening.

The MetService said westerly winds were expected to strengthen for a time in the afternoon.

Tomorrow is expected to be fine, with westerly winds.

As for today, a frontal band of rain and strong winds are advancing on a northwards course across the South Island and then will sprint across the North Island tomorrow, followed by a strong showery west to southwest wind.

Through Wednesday to Friday, a ridge of high pressure will bring some settled weather and a recovery break to most of the North Island, while a showery northwest flow affects the South Island, the MetService said in its latest weather update.

Through the latter part of the week there will be a focus on speed for the South Island, as those northwesterly winds are expected to increase through Thursday and Friday.

And the winner of this race?

“Well, it’s not a real race with a real winner, but perhaps we’ll give the South Island the award for endurance,” MetService meteorologist Alanna Burrows said.

“That being said, with a long-lasting northwesterly flow locking in from Wednesday, the prize of this weather scenario looks like warmer than average temperatures through the second half of this week.”

MetService is forecasting widespread temperatures over 20C for Friday.

Napier and Hastings could reach 26C and 28C respectively.

Tauranga could reach 23C.

“It is not looking like any PBs [personal bests] for temperature at this stage, but we will be on the stopwatch to record what happens,” Burrows said.