Settled conditions are forecast for most of the country this weekend, despite winter  inching noticeably closer, with temperatures for many parts dropping below 10 degrees Celsius at night.

Much of New Zealand has fine weather today with a warm unclouded sun and a slight nip in the air, with more expected tomorrow.

MetService is forecasting temperatures on the cooler side for the first two weeks of May due to winds generally approaching from the southwest.

On Monday, May 6, a weakening front, embedded in a strong west to southwest flow, is set to bring showers to southern New Zealand.

A trough over the North Island will be producing showers in some areas but the risk of severe weather is very low.

On Tuesday, a ridge will be building over central and southern New Zealand. Southwesterlies over the far south will ease and the flow will turn east to southeast over the North Island, with a trough continuing to bring showers to some areas. The risk of severe weather is again very low.

A ridge remains over central New Zealand on Wednesday, while a weak front affects the south of the South Island. The trough affecting the north of the North Island will move away to the north. The

By Thursday, May 9, a weakening front will be moving through central New Zealand, followed by another ridge, and again the risk of severe weather is very low.