The forecast is for mainly warm and dry weather across Otago and Southland, which means we can all get outside and burn off excess calories.
MetService meteorologist David Miller said Otago and Southland would remain dry and temperatures would reach the high teens — 20degC in some places — on Friday, an excellent start to the long weekend.
On Saturday, a front was expected to come up the South Island, bringing some brief rain to both regions.
He said Saturday would be welcomed by farmers because it would bring more much-needed rain to drought-affected areas.
He did not want to "over promise and under deliver" on the prospect of rain for farmers, but either way, they would appreciate it, he said.
The front was expected to keep temperatures in the high teens in most places.
Overnight temperatures were expected to be relatively warm over the long weekend, only dropping to 8degC, making a last opportunity to go camping.
He said Sunday and Monday appeared to be a little cloudy with light winds at this stage, but that forecast may change.
"It’s still a few days away yet, and the further out you go, there’s more uncertainty.
"That’s our best guess at this stage."
