Spring school holidays weather 2025

The story so far

Forecasters warned that wet, windy and unseasonably cold weather would hit the North Island as the school holidays began, with Auckland potentially dropping to 6C overnight on Friday.^{18 Sep 2025} MetService issued weather watches and warnings for much of the South Island and Wellington ahead of an incoming active front, which might include an atmospheric river.^{19 Sep 2025} The atmospheric river was forecast to bring heavy rain and 140km/h gales to the South Island and Wellington, starting over the weekend and continuing into the following week.^{20 Sep 2025} Five weather fronts were expected to bring rain across much of the country during the first week of the holidays, with up to 220mm forecast at Taranaki Maunga and heavy rain watches for Fiordland and Otago.^{22 Sep 2025}

Latest

Later forecasts said conditions could improve before the current school holidays end, but Christchurch had a sudden temperature drop with rain showers and possible hail and lightning.^{25 Sep 2025}

What's next

Parents may see improved weather before the current school holidays conclude.^{25 Sep 2025}

Key moments

1. 18 Sep 2025Wet, windy, cold start to school holidays forecast; Auckland could hit 6C
2. 19 Sep 2025MetService issues watches and warnings for South Island and Wellington
3. 20 Sep 2025Atmospheric river forecast to bring 140km/h gales to South and Wellington
4. 22 Sep 2025Five fronts forecast; up to 220mm rain expected at Taranaki Maunga
5. 25 Sep 2025Better weather expected, but Christchurch hit by sudden cold snap

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.