A ridge of high pressure will start to move in today across New Zealand today, says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

Cold southwesterlies are forecasted to ease also, first for the South Island then later today for the North Island.

Showers are also expected for most regions today, with the lower South Island receiving early showers before clearing.

'Southwesterlies are a bit fresh today, gradually easing as high pressure moves in,” says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

'Temperatures are a bit cool today too in the mid to late teens, early teens for some inland areas.”

Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay Of Plenty
Showers ease during the afternoon with sunny spells then increasing, the odd shower may linger till evening. Breezy southwesterlies possibly fresh at times.
Highs: 18-20

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Showers ease clearing late afternoon or evening, sunny spells start to break through from afternoon. Southwesterly winds.
Highs: 13-18

Eastern North Island
Showers about Wairarapa spread into Hawkes Bay and Gisborne in the morning with southwesterly winds, clearing from the south late afternoon onwards.
Highs: 14-18

Wellington
Morning showers ease then clear, a few sunny spells may break through from afternoon otherwise mostly cloudy. Southerlies ease dying out in the evening.
Highs: 14-16

Marlborough & Nelson
Any morning showers clear then sunny areas increase, southerlies tend to the east in the afternoon for Marlborough. Afternoon northerlies for Nelson.
Highs: 15-17

Canterbury
Morning showers clear away then becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon, southwesterlies tend east to northeast late afternoon or evening.
Highs: 14-15

West Coast
A mix of sun and cloud, showers north of about Hokitika ease becoming few and far between from afternoon. Showers pick up for Fiordland in the evening. Southwesterly winds.
Highs: 14-16

Southland & Otago
Any early showers clear then cloud breaks to mostly sunny in the morning, some cloud lingers during the day for Southland. Westerlies tend northwest before midday.
Highs: 13-16