It felt like Spring over much of the country today as a mild Nor’ wester took hold and saw temperatures top the 20 degree mark in Napier. Gisborne and Hastings took their share of the limelight too with 19s recorded in both centres.

Mid to high teens were commonplace nationwide with just Waiouru feeling the chill once again on 9 degrees and in the deep south, a string of 10s were recorded between Invercargill and Dunedin airport.

Of the main centres, Christchurch topped the lot with a nor’ west 18 degrees, Auckland and Hamilton got to 16, Wellington on 15 and Dunedin city on 12 degrees.

The weekend may become quite soggy in many areas but temperatures are expected to be near average for late August, with Gore the only exception, expecting just 9 degrees tomorrow but at least it looks a dry weekend for eastern Southland folk.

Overnight lows are certainly up for this time of year with only the east and south of the mainland expecting the thermometer to nudge the freezing mark.

At the other end of the spectrum, northern New Zealand is likely to see the mercury stay in double figures overnight tonight, and tomorrow night too.

A wet weekend is instore for many at some stage but if you want to keep dry outdoors, it looks as if southern New Zealand is your only option!