A large in size but not overly aggresive low pressure system is today moving over the North Island bringing a mix of rain, showers and drizzle.

The low is tapping into the subtropics, helping to keep temperatures mild overnight for many areas – and also producing isolated areas of heavier rain.

But the low is moving at a steady speed eastwards.

On Thursday the low moves eastwards and behind it the entire nation sees a return to winds from the southerly quarter – but these aren’t big southerlies.

The southerly winds on the backend of the low aren’t far reaching – by that we mean the southerlies aren’t generated from Antarctica, therefore they aren’t super chilled.

By Friday most of New Zealand will be dry – with high pressure covering the South Island and returning to western and northern parts of the North Island.

However Friday will see showers continue (but slowly fade out) for eastern areas of the North Island, regions like Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts a very big high this weekend promising settled, calm and mostly dry weather for New Zealand – but a remaining shower may remain in the east of the North Island on Saturday, while cloudy spells may affect some other coastal areas around the nation.

– Image / File, Peter Shone

– WeatherWatch.co.nz