A large high moving in from the Southern Ocean is about to turn our nights cold, especially across the lower two thirds of the country.

Overnight tonight temperatures are expected to drop to freezing or near freezing right over the South Island.  Across the lower half of the North Island temperatures may be in the low single digits except for Wellington where winds and warm seas will keep the mercury higher.

With so much settled weather lately the nation seems to be gently slipping into Autumn with no severe weather in populated places expected in the next several days.

MetService is advising that rain warnings may be issued this weekend for the Fiordland rain forest.

Today sou’easters are likely to pick up over the North Island but ease overnight tonight and die out in most places during Thursday.  Cooler nights are expected for Friday night and the weekend across the North Island with temperatures close to single digits in Auckland.