Gloomy conditions prevail in a number of our main centres today however there are signs that the clouds are breaking up and sunnier, slightly warmer, weather is on the way.

Relatively mild conditions are spreading in to places like Tauranga and Waikato with temperatures reaching around 16 and 17 degrees this hour. 

In Auckland it’s damp and cold with just 12 degrees and Wellington still has a strong southerly and and a few showers about – gusts to 110km/h on the hilltops.

It’s cold in Christchurch too with just 8 degrees and a few showers and drizzle patches around, however the sun is starting to make a welcome return.

The sun is something we’re expecting to see more of this week.  While we have a polar blast on the way for the upcoming weekend a large high before that will spread from the south. 

Clearer skies and lighter winds are already affecting the lower South Island.  Frosts will return either tomorrow morning or Wednesday morning in the south moving into the North Island on Thursday and possibly Friday.

Slightly warmer nor’westers should spreading up the country during Friday before the weekend’s polar blast arrives – possibly bringing snow to sea level in the South Island and heavy snow to the Desert Road and Central Plateau on Sunday.