MetService is forecasting a wet and windy start to the working week for much of New Zealand thanks to a fast-moving cold front sweeping over the country.

A rapid change to clearer and calmer conditions takes place mid-week, although this will be short-lived as unsettled weather returns by Thursday.

It's a busy Monday in terms of weather over New Zealand as a cold front brings wet and windy weather to many areas. A sharp southerly change blasted through Otago and Canterbury on Monday morning, causing temperatures to tumble several degrees as gusty winds picked up speed. The front passed over the North Island during the second half of the day, with Wellington and Wairarapa bearing the brunt of it.

'The cold front reached Wellington early this afternoon, so the strong northwest winds in the area quickly changed to strong southerly, with a noticeable drop in temperature to boot,” says MetService meteorologist Luis Fernandes.

A few afternoon thunderstorms accompanied the front as it moved through to the lower and central North Island but by this evening it will have weakened considerably, with just a few showers for Northland, Auckland, and Bay of Plenty.

A ridge of high pressure quickly moves over New Zealand tonight, Monday March 13, clearing skies and bringing lighter winds.

'This also means some areas can expect a chilly night, particularly for the interior of the North Island where overnight temperatures drop well into the single digits. It certainly will feel like autumn tomorrow (Tuesday) morning!” says Luis.

The clearer and calmer conditions persist into Wednesday with just a few showers about the coasts of Southland and Westland.

On Thursday a low from the Tasman Sea reaches New Zealand, resulting in a bout of wet and windy weather that affects almost all the country, with significant rain likely for Westland and Fiordland. More of the same is expected for Friday as another front ploughs into the South Island.

Current forecasts indicate that a ridge takes hold for the weekend bringing sunnier and more settled weather, although showers will still be likely over the north on Saturday morning.