A blast of gale westerlies and a shot of colder air is coming into NZ mid to late this week – but before that we have brief high pressure then milder nor-west winds.

High pressure crosses NZ on Tuesday and by Wednesday and Thursday the wind and rain both ramp up from the west.

By this weekend polar air heads northwards for a time – bringing a colder weekend to the southern half of the South Island.

We have your forecast to Sunday – including expected rainfall.