Cooler/colder air is moving in over the next couple of days as high pressure drifts out into the northern Tasman Sea and low pressure remains centred near the Chatham Islands.

This setup encourages southerlies and then south-westerlies over much of New Zealand.

Most of the country is drier than usual over the next several days, but showers are around for both today and Tuesday due to the large area of low pressure east of the mainland.

The lack of moisture means there will be little to no snow falling this week across the ski fields, with best chances this Friday/weekend in the South Island, and today in the North Island.

• WeatherWatch.co.nz