Conditions are being described as ‘the perfect start to spring’ by WeatherWatch.co.nz readers today as sunny, mild, weather kicks in across much of the country.

Temperatures have climbed to the 16 or 17 degree mark across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Northland while mild conditions have stretched into the lower South Island too.  Dunedin has been in the mid teens while Southland has climbed into the teens.

A nor’easter has kept the temperature down a little in Christchurch and cool southerly is in Wellington but it would be hard to describe anywhere as unpleasant today.

Winds will pick up tonight across the South Island which should see a mild night and warm start to the day tomorrow in the east.

But the settled start to spring won’t last long – as a front approaches from the south west.

A much cooler south west flow will spread across New Zealand on Friday, but that should be short lived too with another high moving back in on Saturday.

 Homepage image: Zelda Wynn