A windy weekend gives way to a calmer Monday although the W to SW winds will still be a little blustery in exposed coastal areas. The winds fade this evening in time for Guy Fawkes celebrations. A few showers on the West Coast today should also fade by evening.

The week ahead looks mostly dry for the North Island but another rain maker is coming for the West Coast, starting Wednesday and not easing until Friday. The positive is that there will be some spillover into the hydro lake catchment areas and also into dry parts of Canterbury.

Nor’westers with Aussie and sub-tropical connections also kicks in this week, pushing temperatures in the east into the late 20s and may be the lower 30s for some pockets.