We have two powerful high pressure zones dominating both NZ and Australia this week – but the Tropics and the Tasman Sea are full of low pressure which, to some degree, will impact New Zealand.

While much of the low pressure remains up in the tropics, bringing thunderstorms and higher humidity to Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and later on the Cook Islands, the high pressure zone parked east of New Zealand (over the Chathams) will work with this tropical low pressure to bringing in some wet weather to the upper South Island and some other western areas.

The tropical weather stays north of NZ but the warmer than average temperatures will cover a large portion of our country.

The next big high from the Indian Ocean moves into Australia and brings a slight temperature drop – and a few showers – to Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney this week.

We have your forecast through to Saturday for New Zealand, Australia and much of the South Pacific Islands.