A large and building anticyclone in the southern Tasman Sea is fighting back against the rough weather over the North Island and upper South Island reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The large high, which should bring a mostly settled, frosty, rest of the week for the South Island is today pushing back against the low north of New Zealand – and that should push the winds and rain back northwards.

This will mean rain will linger in some areas, especially northern Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, however as the air pressure builds from the incoming high the gales will gradually ease during Wednesday over the worst hit areas – western and central areas from Waikato to Nelson.

However pushing the winds north will mean stronger winds are likely for Thursday in Auckland, although damaging winds aren’t predicted. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz says rain or showers are predicted for most top half regions of the North Island for the remainder of the week with a more aggressive low expected to move into the northern Tasman Sea from the sub-tropics on Sunday.

It’s too early to know if the severe weather from this incoming low will directly hit New Zealand but WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say there is a possibility of more heavy rain and gales between Sunday and next Tuesday.