Warmer weather on the way

(File)
(File)

It's a week away from Labour Weekend - traditionally the first swim of summer for many Kiwis - but it doesn't feel like the New Zealand summer is any closer yet.

Wintry blasts and downpours lashed the country over the last week, but warmer weather is on the way, Weatherwatch's Philip Duncan says.

"It's all thanks to some air that's coming out of Australia," he says. "It's not here yet though... On Sunday we'll be seeing highs getting towards the 20degC mark."

He says from Monday we'll be seeing highs getting into the low to mid-20s in parts of the country.

It's already clearing up across the South Island on Saturday, with a sunny day expected in Greymouth and a sunny afternoon for Christchurch. Both coasts will have highs around 15degC.

The wet weather continues across the North Island on Saturday, with some heavy showers, possible thunderstorms and hail expected in parts of Northland, Auckland Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The temperatures however will range around highs of 16-18degC.

Taranaki is expected to see the most sunshine of the North Island on Saturday, as a southwesterly wind blows away the rain.

There's a snow warning for the Desert Rd on Saturday afternoon. MetService says showers may turn to snow near the summit, though it's not expected to settle on the road.

Newshub.