Last updated: 2026-09-26 12:40:02 (@manukauweather.bsky.social)
Light rain shower
Feels like 8.7°C
| Time | Temp | Wind | Gust | Dir | Hum | Press | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:40 | 12.5°C | 24.8 kph (13.4 kt) | 41 kph | WSW | 93% | 1025 | 0.92mm |
| 12:30 | 12.5°C | 24.8 kph (13.4 kt) | 41 kph | WSW | 93% | 1025 | 0.92mm |
| 12:20 | 12.5°C | 24.8 kph (13.4 kt) | 41 kph | WSW | 93% | 1025 | 0.92mm |
| 12:10 | 12.5°C | 24.8 kph (13.4 kt) | 41 kph | WSW | 93% | 1025 | 0.92mm |
| 12:00 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 34.9 kph | WSW | 88% | 1026 | 1.11mm |
| 11:50 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 34.9 kph | WSW | 88% | 1026 | 1.11mm |
| 11:40 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 34.9 kph | WSW | 88% | 1026 | 1.11mm |
| 11:30 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 34.9 kph | WSW | 88% | 1026 | 1.11mm |
| 11:20 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 34.9 kph | WSW | 88% | 1026 | 1.11mm |
| 11:10 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 34.9 kph | WSW | 88% | 1026 | 1.11mm |
| 10:00 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 40.4 kph | WSW | 90% | 1027 | 0.79mm |
| 09:50 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 40.4 kph | WSW | 90% | 1027 | 0.79mm |
| 09:40 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 40.4 kph | WSW | 90% | 1027 | 0.79mm |
| 09:30 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 40.4 kph | WSW | 90% | 1027 | 0.79mm |
| 09:20 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 40.4 kph | WSW | 90% | 1027 | 0.79mm |
| 09:10 | 12.6°C | 25.9 kph (14 kt) | 40.4 kph | WSW | 90% | 1027 | 0.79mm |
| 09:00 | 12.5°C | 23.8 kph (12.9 kt) | 37.8 kph | WSW | 88% | 1027 | 0.75mm |
| 08:50 | 12.5°C | 23.8 kph (12.9 kt) | 37.8 kph | WSW | 88% | 1027 | 0.75mm |
Spring is a transitional season where the temperature contrast between the still-cold Southern Ocean and the rapidly warming Australian landmass is at its greatest. This drives strong pressure gradients across the Tasman Sea, resulting in fast-moving frontal systems. You can experience four seasons in one day because cold southerlies can battle it out with warm norafwl/north-westerly flows in rapid succession.
Spring is traditionally the windiest time of the year in many parts of New Zealand. As fast-moving low-pressure troughs sweep across the country, they are often channeled by local topography like the Manukau Harbour and surrounding ranges. Additionally, stronger daytime solar heating mixes higher-momentum winds from aloft down to the surface, causing those sharp afternoon gusts visible on the wind charts above.
Many people are caught out by spring sunburn. Even though air temperatures in spring can still feel crisp, the Earth's position relative to the sun means solar radiation is increasing rapidly—returning to levels similar to late summer. Furthermore, New Zealand's relatively unpolluted skies and lower levels of stratospheric ozone compared to similar latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere mean the sun burns much faster here. Always check the peak UV metric on the dashboard before heading outdoors!
Spring is famous for clear, calm nights following the passage of a cold southerly change. When the skies clear completely and the wind drops to zero, the heat accumulated during the day rapidly radiates back out into space (radiational cooling). If the air mass originating from the south is cold enough, ground temperatures can easily dip below 0°C, catching out early spring plantings and new garden shoots.
As unstable spring air masses move over the warmer land, they can spark sharp, active convective showers or thunderstorms. A squall line is a narrow band of active weather that brings a sudden, sharp drop in temperature, a spike in barometric pressure, heavy bursts of rain or small hail, and an abrupt shift in wind direction accompanied by high wind gusts. Keep an eye on the pressure and wind trend charts to spot these rolling through.
This is a classic diurnal pattern driven by daytime heating. As the morning sun warms the land, moisture from the Manukau Harbour and surrounding damp soil begins to evaporate, forming rising thermals. As this warm, moist air hits cooler layers higher up in the atmosphere, it condenses into cumulus clouds (fair-weather clouds that can sometimes grow into afternoon showers).
North-westerly and westerly flows are common in spring due to prevailing weather patterns across the Tasman. As these moisture-laden winds hit the ranges west of Auckland, they drop heavy rain on the West Coast (the West Coast ranges act as a barrier), creating a 'rain shadow' effect over parts of the city and Manukau. However, it can often remain blustery, cloudy, and mild even if it stays relatively dry overhead.
Unlike winter storms which often bring prolonged, steady, soaking rain from large frontal systems, spring rain is frequently convective. This means it falls in heavy, isolated downpours or passing showers. Total daily precipitation might look high on the gauge, but it could have all fallen within a frantic 20-minute thunderstorm while the rest of the day was fine and sunny.
The surrounding Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea are at their coldest points at the end of winter, because water takes much longer to warm up than land. As spring progresses, the land heats up quickly under stronger sun, but the coastal waters lag behind. This temperature contrast can set up sea breezes along the coast and moderate daytime highs around Manukau compared to inland regions.
Because spring is a battleground season between retreating winter cold and advancing summer warmth, computer weather models have a harder time resolving local regional triggers. Small shifts in the timing of a cold front can mean the difference between a washout afternoon and a glorious sunny day—which is why keeping an eye on live local weather stations and real-time trends is far more reliable than relying solely on generalized regional forecasts!