Bad weather expected for America's Cup parades around the country

The America's Cup will be whisked around the main centres next week along with members from Emirates Team New Zealand to celebrate their historic win in Bermuda.

However much like Auckland, the weather is not expected to be favouring the yachtsmen or fans lining the streets, but is it a blessing in disguise?

Parades are scheduled for Wellington on Tuesday, Christchurch on Wednesday and Dunedin on Thursday.

Wellington is forecast to be cold and nippy during the parade. Metservice says while rain isn't expected during the day yet, showers are possible with rain already due either side of Tuesday. 

Christchurch fears no better with snow expected to 200m in surrounding areas, it may not affect the parade directly but will bring cool temperature  with rain expected to shower the garden city too. 

Americas Cup, Christchurch
Christchurch will host the team on Wednesday followed by Dunedin on Thursday. Photo credit: Supplied

Dunedin may be the worst of the bunch with temperatures on Thursday not expected to top more than 9degC during the day and be accompanied by showers from a cold southerly.

During Auckland's watery welcome home to the Aulg Mug on Thursday, fans, politicians, leaders and the team themselves were drenched as they paraded through the CBD.

Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said during the parade it was fitting the heavens had opened up.

"When we launched the boat [in February] it was raining," he said.

"Maori believe that if it is raining, it's a blessing and really I'm thinking this rain is the start of a blessing for the defence [in 2021.]

"So let it rain."

More than 80,000 cheered the team on when they made their way through the rain in Auckland.

Thousands are also expected celebrate around the country when the team travel south before taking a well-deserved break.

Newshub.