Sunshine sticks around over long weekend

Kiwis are in for clear skies over the long weekend. Photo / File

Much of the country will wake up to sunny skies today - and it's good news for those hoping for a bright long weekend, as the sunshine is forecast to last through to early next week.

A high pressure system is pushing over the country, bringing fine and settled weather conditions over the North and South Islands.

There are some cloudy patches in a few areas, including Palmerston North, Gisborne and Invercargill - the latter being the only place forecast to see a few showers, mainly this morning.

MetService meteorologist Leigh Matheson said: "[The high] is a good strong one and it's going to stay around for the long weekend.

"There's a bit of a chilly start - but that's to be expected for this time of the year ... and it's a fine night. It's clear skies pretty much over the whole country."

Auckland has a forecast temperature high of 15C today and an overnight low of 6C.

Hamilton has some morning frosts and light winds forecast and a high of 14C.

Those in Tauranga are in for a temperature high of 15C and some light winds; as are Whangarei, New Plymouth and Wellington.

The South Island has temperature highs ranging from 11C to the mid-teens.

Blenheim, Nelson, Greymouth, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown will all bask in sunshine today. Queenstown is expected to be a little cooler than those places, with a temperature high of 11C and an overnight low of 2C.

Ms Matheson said some inland areas will be somewhat frosty this morning, but will warm up as the day goes on.

"Southland is getting a few showers at the moment. Other than that, people are going to wake up to a sunny morning," she said.

"Pushing into the weekend, other than a few early showers scraping into Invercargill occasionally, the whole country is in for a lovely and fine long weekend."