While New Zealanders across the country will be basking on Saturday in the Labour weekend sun, a cold front is about to change things up in the south.
It's a glorious day in many Kiwi centres, with temperatures reaching towards the mid-20s on the east coast of both the North and South Island. On Sunday, Christchurch and Kaikoura are expected to soar to 28C, while other cities like Auckland, Hamilton and Dunedin are all forecast to have balmy days.
"The warm weather will last over the North Island with some of the most humid air we've seen around this spring set to stick through the weekend," Metservice said on Saturday afternoon.
"The weather also remains relatively unchanging for those north of Kapiti with any cloudy skies seen in the morning expected to break to sunny spells by afternoon with localised showers (and sunblock in your eyes) the only bugbear to outdoor activities."
But the forecaster warns a cold front may chill Labour Day activities in the south.
"Though eastern coasts remain hot, windy and dry for much of Sunday, a cold front which moves over Southland and Otago from late afternoon and the rest of the South Island on Monday brings a marked decrease in temperature and definite increase in precipitation!
"A number of strong wind and heavy rain watches and warnings have been issued with this cold front."
There is a heavy rain warning in place for Westland between 6pm on Sunday and 11pm on Monday.
"Expect 150 to 250mm to accumulate about the ranges south of Otira, with 100 to 150mm about the ranges north of Otira and places closer to the coast south of the Glaciers. Peak intensities 15 to 25mm/hr from early Monday morning," Metservice said.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous."
Fiordland and the Otago headwaters also have a heavy rain warning in place for Sunday afternoon into Monday.
The Canterbury High Country will see possibly severe northwest gales reaching up to 120km/h between 3am on Sunday and 8am on Monday.
"Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles."
There's a heavy rain watch in place for the Canterbury headwaters south of Arthurs Pass between 1am on Monday and 1am on Tuesday.
Strong wind watches are in place for Otago, the southern Fiordlands and Southland from 1am on Sunday into Sunday evening.
"With eastern regions of the South Island forecast to top temperatures 10C or more above their October maximums tomorrow, the sharp drop in mercury with the cold front will likely put a quick stop to barbeque gatherings if the rain doesn't already," Metservice said.
"Dunedin is forecast a fever-like shift in temperature tomorrow with the daytime maximum of 25C and a low of 8C overnight with the southerly change expected in the evening."
