Strong winds around the country today will linger in some areas until Thursday before finally dying back.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the windy weather will ease over much of the North Island by the end of Wednesday then the South Island by the end of Thursday as a large high moves in.

The settling anticyclone – which ironically to blame for the severe winds – will set in across the weekend bringing mostly light winds to New Zealand.

However the high may trap a few showers within it meaning not everyone will have clear blue skies.

Gusty conditions and squalls are continuing to hit many areas of the country this afternoon with a colder change moving up the North Island tonight and early tomorrow.

The colder change will be short lived with WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters predicting a return to warmer weather next week.