Spring sunshine decides to play ball

A large high will bring with it the first settled weather since the Rugby World Cup started. Photo / APN

Even the sun has decided to comeout and enjoy the Rugby World Cup party.

A large high is set to move over the country today bringing with it the first settled weather since the tournament began three weeks ago, forecasters say.

MetService forecaster Chris Noble said yesterday's showers were caused by a front which moved over the upper North Island - but they would not last long.

"That moved off [last night] so what we get left with is a westerly flow and a high over the Tasman Sea which is inching its way on to northern New Zealand."

Mr Noble said the week would be mostly fine with light winds for the upper North Island.

"It looks pretty good, right until Friday at least, so pretty much all week."

He said most of New Zealand should enjoy the settled weather, except the West Coast which was expected to have showers.

Weather Watch analyst Philip Duncan said most of the week should be sunny and dry with little risk of severe weather.

The temperature could reach the low to mid-20s in the east, he said.

However, the weather would take a turn for the worse in the coming weeks.

THIS WEEK

* Today: High moves over the country.

* Tomorrow: Fine in most places, some showers in west and south of the South Island.

* Wednesday: Fine in the North Island. Some rain in the South Island.

* Thursday: Showers start to clear over South Island.

* Friday: Starts to get cloudy over northern New Zealand.