The cold nights and mild days look set to continue this week but the worst of winter is over, forecasters say.

WeatherWatch.co.nz chief analyst Philip Duncan said a big high was moving over the Tasman Sea this week which would bring clear skies.

“The very north and the very south of New Zealand will have a little bit more changeable weather with a bit of cloud and maybe a little bit of wind – but apart from that, it’s going to be settled and mostly sunny,” Mr Duncan said.

“But we’ll continue with the cold nights and mild days, but the temperatures during the day won’t actually be that bad.”

WeatherWatch.co.nz and MetService say temperatures would hit the early to mid-teens during the day and would drop to below 5C at night for many places.

Mr Duncan said the worst of winter (*national temperature-wise) was over following the year’s coldest day last Monday.

“From here on out, it should start to get better … By the end of August, our days will have an extra hour of sunlight.”

He said the weather would be perfect for skifields across the country this week.

“There won’t be a lot of snow [this] week, but the temperatures will be good for locking in whatever fell last week,” Mr Duncan said.

“It’ll be a great week for skiing, it couldn’t be better – blue skies, low winds.”

MetService duty forecaster Derek Holland said frosts at night were likely across the country this week because of the clear skies.
 

WeatherWatch.co.nz says coastal clouds could make some areas gloomy today and at other times during the week, with sunniest weather most likely inland.

– Homepage image / Omaha in winter, Gavin Smith

By Amelia Wade, NZHerald.co.nz some additional by WeatherWatch.co.nz

*EDIT:  Please note that Mr Duncan was referring to an unlikely repeat of last Monday’s coldest day of the year in the line “the worst of winter was over” – the risk for winter snow storms and heavy frosts will continue well in to Spring. – WW