Several fronts are forecast to move over New Zealand during the first half of this week bringing rain or showers at various times.

However, these fronts are expected to clear the country late Wednesday and will be replaced by a ridge of high pressure, bringing settled weather on Thursday and Friday.

A heavy rain warning has been issued for Fiordland and parts of Westland on Monday.

'Other parts of New Zealand will also get rain or showers as these fronts move northeast over New Zealand during the first half of the week, but the trend is for the rain or showers to be replaced by fine weather for most places from Thursday,” says MetService Meteorologist Stephen Glassey.

Cold southwesterlies behind the fronts could also bring snow showers to the hills of Southland and Otago on Wednesday, before the ridge of high pressure arrives on Thursday.