A large high in the Tasman Sea will today spread onto the country, pushing cold air from the weekend’s low out into the Pacific.

The high, which is moving in from Australia, will bring clearer skies, hotter days and milder nights to most of New Zealand following 2 or 3 days of much lower temperatures.

By the end of the week daytime highs should return to the mid to upper 20s for most holiday spots with little in the way of rain for anyone.

In fact, eastern and possibly northern areas of both islands may well be returning to an extended period of dry weather.  Long range forecasts are showing little moisture expected for dry farms about northern Canterbury, northern Wairarapa and southern Hawkes Bay.

However the tropics remain very active north of New Zealand.  There is an increased chance of sub-tropical lows this summer – we’ve already had a couple that have brought good rainfall totals to northern New Zealand while active lows bringing thunderstorms and heavy showers have helped out dry farms across Canterbury.

A deep low in the Southern Ocean – well away from New Zealand – may produce heavy rain along the South Island’s West Coast later this week.