Summer is officially over, so it is time to say goodbye to the long hot days and start preparing for more wet weather.

MetService says that on average, the waters around Aotearoa are warmer in the first month of autumn than the first month of summer. But while the sea will be warm, the beach won't look as tempting in the first few days of autumn this year as we have plenty of wet weather on the cards. 

MetService meteorologist April Clark explains: "A series of fronts move across the country this week. However, it's not until Wednesday or Thursday that a change from subtropical northerlies will bring a reprieve from the sticky nights and hot days. Rain or showers will affect all parts of the country in the coming days, though the west of the South Island and upper North Island will see more widespread rain while other areas, which are sheltered by mountains, will receive less."

With the air being so humid over the next couple of days, the potential for localised thunderstorms is also there. Western Northland and Auckland north of the city have already seen evening downpours and stormy weather.

An active cold front forecast to track north over the country during Wednesday and Thursday is the forerunner to several fronts bringing cooler temperatures to Aotearoa. "Putting it simply, the shortening days will not be the reason it may feel like summer has ended come Sunday," says Clark.

With the weather set to turn, and the kids stuck home from school, many parents are asking themselves how they will survive the remainder of level three lockdown.  

Here are a few simple options using household objects that will (hopefully) keep them entertained for five minutes:

• Sit in the car and let the kids pretend to drive somewhere. They enjoy the novelty of it and can take turns being the driver while you snooze in the back.
• Cover the floor with towels and cushions for a simple “the floor is lava” game.
• Home hair salon (no cutting!)
• Homemade tattoos (make sure there are no permanent markers lying around)
• Fort cities with blankets and chairs.

Get the gumboots and umbrellas ready for some rainy walks and pray that level three only lasts until Sunday!