The working week before Easter Weekend sees a fairly settled Monday but a change arrives as soon as Tuesday, mostly for the South Island, thanks to a cold front and Southern Ocean low pressure system.

North Islanders will be mostly unaffected by this next cold front until Wednesday and Thursday when some rain slides up the western side of the island.

Main Weather Highlights:

• On Monday comes a broad area of strong northerly winds in front of an approaching low over the Southern Ocean.
• West Coast and western Southland will be cloudy or have persistent rain because of the northerly flow.
• Tuesday the main part of the front will cross the South Island.
• Heavy rainfall and accumulation is likely on the West Coast on Tuesday – a rain warning is possible.
• Strong northerly winds spread over the entire South Island including Canturbury (especially inland).
• Locally enhanced stronger winds with bigger gusts are more likely through the mountain hills/ranges.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz