The Bay of Plenty will see sunshine for the next three days before a short period of rain moves into the region on Friday.

According to the MetServices five day forecast, today, tomorrow and Thursday will be fine with showers on Friday before the fine weather returns at the weekend.

The MetService five day forecast shows three days of fine weather. Image: MetService.

Daily highs for the Bay are forecast to sit around the 20 degree mark, with overnight lows ranging from 11 to 17 degrees throughout the week.

The cold front which affected the South Island on Saturday and the North Island on Sunday is expected to move north of the country.

Meanwhile, a southwesterly flow prevails over much of the country, and spreads over the upper North Island today following the passage of the front, says MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin.

This flow continues through Tuesday.

'The southwesterly flow to start the week will pepper coastal areas of both islands with showers and bring cooler temperatures for many.

'This flow strengthens on Tuesday and then eases on Wednesday as a weak ridge of high pressure spreads over the country from the Tasman Sea to bring more settled weather mid-week,” says Ciaran.

Late Wednesday, a strong northwesterly flow develops over the lower South Island ahead of an approaching front, with gales likely about high ground.

The front makes its way up the South Island on Thursday, and is forecast to bring a burst of heavy rain to Fiordland early Thursday, before weakening as it moves up the West Coast of the South Island.

A few spots of rain are expected further east as the front progresses north.

On Friday the front moves onto the North Island, weakening as it progresses but bringing a period of rain to central and southern areas.

Looking ahead to the weekend, a fast-moving low pressure system skirts to the south of the country and brings another front across southern and central parts on Saturday and into Sunday.

'At this stage, the front looks likely to bring a period of rain to western areas and northerly gales about central New Zealand,” says Ciaran.