A cool day is in store for the South Island today before a warm air mass lifts temperatures over the next two days.
Southerlies will keep things brisk today before a ridge of high pressure moves over the country tomorrow.
MetService shows Dunedin as expecting a high of 14degC today but the city is tipped to warm up significantly, to a sunny 21C tomorrow and 23C on Friday.
Inland, Queenstown could reach 19C today, 24C tomorrow and 23C on Friday. Alexandra looks set to be the hottest place leading into the long weekend, with sun and 26C forecast for both tomorrow and Friday.
The news is not so good for those heading away over the long weekend, with showers in many places and temperatures dropping back to the mid teens.
