Cold fronts to settle in after break

The warm Easter break will be followed by a change in the weather as cold fronts move across the country this week.

After temperatures reaching up to 27C over the weekend, highs are expected to drop to 20C by tomorrow and 16C by Friday. Overnight lows are predicted to fall to just 5C.

The autumnal shifts could also bring rain, although Wairarapa looks to be missing most of the heavier falls.

Rain is predicted for Wairarapa from Thursday, with heavier falls next week from Monday.

MetService meteorologist John Law said fronts were expected to move eastwards across the country, bringing significant amounts of rain, with the heaviest falls on the West Coast.

"Some of the rain is expected to move on to the North Island overnight Wednesday into Thursday," he said.

Meanwhile, Niwa's outlook for autumn shows mild conditions are expected for the next three months, with about average rainfall and warmer temperatures than normal.

The April-June outlook says seasonal temperatures are likely to be above average for Wairarapa. Rainfall totals are likely to be near normal, with soil moisture levels near normal as well.