The large high that helped bring some of the coldest weather to the nation so far this year will remain in place for the weekend – but changes are happening.

The high is drifting to the east and will be centred east of New Zealand over the next few days.  As it does this a light nor’east flow will develop in some areas – with the general overall flow also from the north for many areas. 

Frosty weather often occurs at the start of a high when the wind flow is southerly, the air is colder, drier and often the skies clearer.

When the winds swing more northerly, which tends to happen once the centre of the high has tracked to the east of the country, we tend to see a lift in humidity which may not be too noticeable, but you’ll often see more clouds and fog patches. 

So over the next few days the mornings will still be cold – but the frosts will start to retreat and the daytime highs will continue to lift up a degree or two.

Next week is looking significantly milder, especially at night, as rain clouds from a Tasman Sea low move in.

– Homepage image / File, Lake Pearson, South Island – Francis Vallance

– WeatherWatch.co.nz