Fine weather on the way for NZ

Rain water on Kakanui Valley Road. Photo / Rebecca Ryan

Heavy showers are to continue to drench much of New Zealand, before the weather clears later in the week.

MetService this morning issued a severe weather warning for eastern Otago, with about 20-25mm around the Waitaki District through till 6pm.

MetService spokesperson Daniel Corbett said an active low moving across New Zealand will bring an unsettled start to the week.

"Supportive upper level patterns will help generate some heavy showers and thunderstorms for starters. The good news is that the weather should slowly dry out and settle down as we head through the week."

The heavier showers and thunderstorms are most likely across western and central parts of the North Island today and tomorrow, Mr Corbett said.

More persistent rain across eastern parts of the South Island will slowly ease as the low starts to track away from New Zealand on tomorrow and Wednesday.

A cooler southerly will slide over the south of the South Island behind the low as it moves away to the east of the country. This southerly could linger, Mr Corbett said, keeping showers along the east coast into Thursday.

A large high in the Tasman Sea will begin to move onto the west coast of New Zealand by the middle of the week. This will help bring some fine and dry weather by the end of the week.