Weather: Temperatures soar back to normal after cold blast

Temperatures are soaring back to normal after the cold blast that plagued the country last week.

Plenty of blue skies are forecast for the North Island with maximum temperatures heading back to 20C and fine spells for most - but the South Island will not be so lucky.

Meteorologist Emma Blades said the rising temperature was thanks to a warmer flow from the east.

"Temperature-wise, after the cold blast from the Antarctic early last week, temperatures have returned to average or warmer for this time of the year."

Cloud and scattered showers will touch the eastern parts of the North Island in the second half of the week and the west will stay clear.

The clear skies do mean that fog is likely to develop, and linger on into the morning, for the typically foggy-spots such as Hamilton.

Rain is forecast to hit the South Island's Westland and Fiordland and a weather watch is in place through to Tuesday evening.

The front will gradually weaken as a northeasterly flow develops on Wednesday with the rainfall dying off for most.

The temperatures will then pick up with Queenstown, Alexandra and Invercargill reaching possible highs of 20C despite overnight lows of 10C.