Christchurch is set for a run of settled, warm weather heading into the long weekend, with MetService forecasting dry conditions and plenty of sunshine across much of Canterbury.

MetService meteorologist John Law said the city had already enjoyed a strong start to the week and the good weather was set to continue through Waitangi Day.

“It’s been a lovely day and Waitangi Day is looking equally nice, if not nicer,” Law said. “We’re expecting plenty of clear skies and dry weather.”

He said some cloud was likely to develop later on Friday, with the chance of a few showers inland, but Christchurch itself was expected to largely escape any unsettled weather.

“I think Christchurch will get away with a pretty decent looking Friday, with plenty of time to enjoy that extra day of the long weekend,” he said.

Saturday was also shaping up well, with a high pressure system remaining over New Zealand and keeping conditions calm and settled.

“The high pressure stays with us through most of the weekend,” Law said. “It will keep things generally fine, dry and settled, with temperatures around 24 degrees, which is pretty decent.”

Law said the forecast marked a welcome change after recent cold snaps across the region.

“It’s not as hot as it has been, but it’s also not as cold as some of the days we saw last week,” he said.

The fine weather is expected to continue into Sunday, with only a slight increase in cloud cover later in the day.

“There’s plenty of decent weather across the weekend,” Law said. “It’s dry, settled, and a nice opportunity to get outside and enjoy it.”

He said while conditions could change, the outlook was positive for those planning to make the most of the long weekend.

“It feels like summer is back again,” he said.