Calm weather ahead for Easter weekend

Photo / Dean Purcell

Easter weekend is here and so here's the very latest weather and travel forecasts for the country.

As far as severe weather goes this Easter looks relatively settled, which is fantastic news for those wanting to get to their favourite holiday destination. Unfortunately for those wanting to go hiking in the South Island ranges there looks likely to be a number of rain warnings issued for the West Coast and Southern Alps.

You'll find all the current active weather warnings across New Zealand here.

Apart from that heavy rain, most other places look dry and settled thanks to a large high over most of the country.

On Sunday the tropical low I've talked about all week will drift past East Cape - probably a fair distance offshore but still close enough to bring in some clouds and maybe a few showers particularly in eastern areas. I doubt it will add up to much though.

A few showers may spread in to other northern centres on Sunday too, including Auckland and Whangarei, but really I doubt it will be anything to worry about.

My place to be this long weekend remains to be New Plymouth - mostly sunny and settled there with warm days and cool nights.

If you're travelling this weekend conditions look good too. For anyone heading off on Thursday or Thursday evening I expect mainly dry roads.

If you're driving, just watch for a possible shower in eastern parts of Northland or Coromandel and in the South Island around Otago, Southland and the West Coast I expect wet roads as periods of rain move through.

For those flying, the weather looks excellent both Thursday and Friday with the high over New Zealand bringing low air turbulence. Even a fresh northerly in Wellington will be nothing to worry about.

If you're going across Cook Strait there's good news there too - despite a fairy strong northerly the sea should remain mostly flat with just slight to moderate swells later on Thursday. I'd give it a low barf rating!

Don't forget we have a detailed Easter Weekend forecast for all regions across the country updated across the long weekend.

And for all the latest weather maps check out the Herald's weather page.

Have a fantastic Easter.