Warmer weather is on the way for New Zealand this weekend after a polar blast thrashed much of the country.
A string of fine days are ahead, including a sunny weekend for much of the country, but there are still some frosty mornings to come.
MetService says the change in weather is driven by a high-pressure system that'll take charge of New Zealand's weather over the weekend - and it'll keep a firm grip until early next week.
Meteorologist Andrew James says while there are still a few cold mornings ahead, the high-pressure system will hang on for a few days and keep conditions calm and skies clear for most.
"The cold air that brought the snow earlier in the week remains over the country too - and with nights largely cloud-free, Kiwis should expect a run of chilly mornings," he says.
Frosts are expected in inland parts of both islands, while the sea will moderate temperatures closer to the coast. Christchurch will get down to -4C on Sunday morning, Wellington comes in at 6C, and Auckland will sink to 4C.
"There are a few showers around the edges, but other than light sprinkles in the Far North, East Cape and down in Fiordland, New Zealand can look forward to a dry and mostly clear weekend," James says.
WeatherWatch says the cold overnight lows remain because the high-pressure system is trapping leftover colder air.
"As we get into the end of Sunday, that's when I think warmer weather will start to spread in across many places," WeatherWatch head weather analyst Philip Duncan says.
MetService also forecasts "excellent conditions" in all main centres for Matariki celebrations over the coming days.
The sunny conditions remain over most of New Zealand until late Monday when a low-pressure system affects the South Island, while high pressure persists over the north for a little longer.
