Weather Watch: A weekend of two halves

On Sunday conditions improve as a big high chugs in. Photo / The Aucklander

A weekend of two halves - that's how I'd describe this weekend weather-wise as a wintry snap races up the country and another giant high moves in behind it.

By midnight tonight the wintry front will be heading in to the North Island. It's not a major cold event but after the warmth of recent weeks it's going to be a bit of a shock to the system. Most exposed in the North Island will be those south of Taranaki and Central Plateau and the entire east coast from Gisborne right down to Wellington.

In the South Island you can expect a chilly start on Saturday morning after the cold air of today settles and the skies clear as a new high moves in from the southern Tasman Sea.

As Saturday wears on expect conditions to improve right across the nation with just Wellington holding on to the showers and cold southerlies - a high of 12 will be the best you'll get, while northern New Zealand will be in the late teens/early 20s.

On Sunday conditions improve further as the big high chugs in - expect clear skies and light winds for almost everyone with possibly - just possibly - a touch of light frost in the South Island's sheltered valleys.

Conditions will take a little longer to clear along the North Island's east coast on Sunday.

Looking ahead to next week - that big ol' high will dominate our skies - that means little to no rain and little to no wind for many of us.