Settled weather is on the way for much of the country this weekend due to a powerful high pressure system sitting over the country - but Kiwis in both islands will be waking up to some frosty mornings over the next few days.
WeatherWatch head forecaster Philip Duncan says high pressure is now "dominating" New Zealand following this week's polar blast from the Antarctic.
"Powerful high pressure is in charge of New Zealand's weather this weekend but a windier northerly will move over the country on Monday and peak on Tuesday, ahead of a cold front," says Duncan.
On Saturday, a cold airflow will be felt by those on the eastern side of the North Island, Duncan says.
"[The airflow] is just clipping the East Cape and it's just clipping the easter side of Northland. With that colder airflow around and this big solid high over the top of it… we're getting colder temperatures at night and this weekend will be no different.
"You'll be waking up to some pretty cold mornings with frosty weather across both islands."
MetService meteorologist Andrew James says frosts are expected inland of both islands, with temperatures in Christchurch forecast to drop to -4C on Sunday morning. Temperatures in Wellington are expected to fall to 6C - and Auckland "doesn't avoid the chill either at 4C".
"This high pressure system hangs on for a few days, keeping conditions clear and calm 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," James says.
"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."
Duncan says a "fair bit of rain" is also on the way next week for the South Island, "kicking off from Monday and going through to Wednesday".
