A large anticyclone centred in the Tasman Sea spreads a ridge over New Zealand on Monday bringing mainly sunny and settled weather.

For the whole of the North Island expect mostly sunny weather, winds are mostly light tending onshore in the afternoon. Some morning cloud and coastal southwesterly breezes possible along eastern coastal fringes then dying away.

Inland areas run the risk of a light frost to start the day, the greatest risk being about the Central Plateau and inland away from the east coast running from East Cape down through to Wairarapa. Afternoon high’s will range from the mid to late teens for most, perhaps touching the early twenties about Bay Of Plenty and Auckland northwards.

The South Island has mostly sunny weather, however expect some cloud in the west north of the Glaciers. This cloud could bring a light morning shower or two then breaking to sunny areas in the afternoon. There may also be some cloud about coastal Southland and the Catlins, this also breaking away in the afternoon. Winds are light tending onshore in the afternoon (sea breezes), expect a west to southwest breeze about Otago and Southland for much of the day.

There could be a light frost or two about some very sheltered inland spots first thing in the morning but temperatures may just hover a degree or two above zero. Afternoon temperatures range from the mid to late teens, the highest temperatures will likely be about Nelson, Marlborough, inland Buller, Amuri and inland parts of the lower South Island.

Image: Monday 15th October 2018 1:00pm MSLP / Rain map – weathermap.co.nz

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz