St Patricks Day gave New Zealand a little Irish luck as much of the country enjoyed another pleasant Autumn day with sunshine reported over more than 80% of the nation.

More comments came though on the WeatherWatch.co.nz Facebook page today with Greg of New Plymouth posting” Its a classic Taranaki day here in New Plymouth. WOMAD has perfect weather and the local Irish bar is full of happy St Pats Day punters. Pukekura Park is the best spot to soak up the lot”.

Jerome of Palmerston North commented” its like summer again… 22.2dg outside and 21.5dg inside… 1019hPa and 64% humidity… i swear there is no wind either here in Palmy :)”.

Canterbury also had clear skies without a blustery easterly ” Gorgeous day here in inland Canterbury, near Sheffield. Warm as, with a warm nor’wester too. Blues skies. Wonderful!” posted Helen.

There were some exceptions today with Northland and Auckland seeing cloud obscuring the sun with some showers falling for quite a few parts of both regions this afternoon.

Across the ditch they were thanking themselves for our mostly settled weather with Mary of Melbourne saying “I’m glad all you kiwis are having nice weather for a change! I sent it from Melbourne 😉 but kept a little for myself:) beautiful day here too.”

It wasn’t all blue skies and sunshine everywhere though. According to Diana of Kaipara it wasn’t a day to remember- “No wind but rainy on the kaipara… Not to mention power outage :(“.

Tonight mainly settled conditions are likely to continue before a cool change in the south moves north tomorrow. 

Story by WeatherWatch.co.nz weather analyst Richard Green

Image of Taylor River, Blenheim under sunny skies-Kiwiwise