Weather settles as kids eye return to school

The warm settled weather looks set to continue for most of the country as children prepare to go back to school.

The weeks ahead were likely to be characterised by dry conditions and warm temperatures, said Weatherwatch.co.nz weather analyst Richard Green.

"It's looking pretty good overall. Especially much of the Northern North Island - Northland, Auckland, Waikato looking settled - so great for the kids to get outdoors this week and do their thing. Temperature-wise, it's slightly above average," he said.

A front expected to move across the country when primary school-aged children return to school next week could be a "wee hiccup", bringing cloud and showers to the West Coast.

However, overall, the news was good for most parts of the country.

The unsettled conditions that characterised December were finished as the country moved into mid-summer, with areas of high pressure moving over the country, were delivering regular sunshine, Mr Green said.

"It's looking good even as we move into February. Looking generally settled and a mild to warm month for many areas."

Dry conditions in the coming weeks were the main concern for parched eastern and northern areas, said Mr Green.

In Christchurch temperatures were expected to reach 30 degrees on Wednesday - after eight days already this summer where the mercury has hit 30C or more, most recently on Saturday.

In Auckland, humidity levels were likely to be average or below average for the rest of the summer.

- Abby Gillies of APNZ