Frosts return as temperatures drop to 2C this weekend

Chilly nights and frosty starts are forecast for parts of the country this weekend, with mostly clear and sunny conditions during the day. 

MetService meteorologist John Law told the Herald high pressure would keep conditions dry and settled across most of New Zealand, but temperatures would fall sharply overnight. 

“We’re actually in for a dry, fine-looking story for most of us as we head through the weekend,” he said. 

“The downside of that will be some pretty chilly mornings.” 

Temperatures in Waikato will fall to 2C or 3C overnight into Sunday, Law said. 

Frosts are possible for Waikato, inland Bay of Plenty and Taupō, as well as inland parts of the South Island. 

Aucklanders could expect clear skies and dry conditions on Saturday night with overnight lows of about 7C or 8C as temperatures drop after sunset. 

“A chilly night to go out to see Olivia Dean, but hopefully it should be dry, fine, clear, and some nice starry skies on the way home,” he said. 

The high-pressure system will keep things relatively settled on Sunday and early next week, particularly across the North Island. 

“It’s not looking like a bad start to next week, back into some dry, fine, sunny conditions for Monday, Tuesday, and our daytime temperatures just picking up a touch compared to those chilly weekend nights.” 

Showers could affect parts of the South Island, including Fiordland and Southland, but are expected to clear. 

Southerly swells could make conditions rougher along some eastern coastlines, although areas such as the Bay of Plenty and Auckland’s eastern harbours will be more sheltered. 

“I’d still be looking at taking some extra care, especially around that eastern coast through Saturday and Sunday, but I think we should find that starts to ease off towards the start of next week,” Law said.