We might be at the coldest point of the year but the current layout of air pressure systems around New Zealand means we have a week of fairly mild conditions.

A large high will remain firmly in control of our weather for most of this week.  While the high will cover most of New Zealand it will be centred mainly over the North Island.

This means west to north west winds should develop over parts of the South Island keeping highs in the mid teens inland, although more of a nor’east twist may keep conditions slightly cooler in Christchurch, although we still expect conditions to be warmer than average for this time of the year.

Apart from a few showers on the West Coast most places should be dry.

By mid week a sub-tropical low will be forming north of New Zealand.  By Friday the high will be sliding out to the east of the country allowing this sub-tropical; low to graze northern New Zealand.

This low may only brush East Cape but is one to watch.

Long range models show that the first 10 days of August look set to be fairly mild with more highs and more winds coming in from the usually warmer northern and western angles.

Image / Zelda Wynn

– WeatherWatch.co.nz