During the coming week, a large high moving northeast is expected across New Zealand, according to MetService meteorologists.

A northerly flow will also be developing over the South Island, with minimal risk of severe weather. 

Weather in the Bay of Plenty is forecast to be part cloudy and fine with warm termperatures in the week ahead.

On Tuesday, December 3, a strengthening northwest flow will be developing over the South Island as the high over the North Island continues to move northeast.

Rain is expected about the west of the South Island and there is low confidence that a heavy rainfall warning will be needed for the ranges of southern Westland, and northern and central parts of Fiordland.

On Wednesday, a west to northwest flow will be covering most of the country, although a narrow ridge of high pressure is forecast to remain over the north of the North Island.

A low is expected to pass to the south of New Zealand late in the day and an associated front should move onto the southern South Island.

"Rain continues about the west of the South Island on Wednesday," said a MetService spokesperson. 

"And there is low confidence that amounts will be sufficient to require a heavy rain warning for much of Fiordland and the ranges of Westland.

"Strong northwest winds are possible about the southern North Island and eastern South Island and there is low confidence that a wind warning will be needed in Wellington, Wairarapa and parts of Marlborough and Canterbury."

On Thursday, the front over the South Island is expected to move northeast over the North Island during the day and weaken.

"The front should bring rain to parts of the North Island and northern South Island, and there is low confidence that rainfall warnings will be needed for the Buller District, western Tasman and the Tararua Range.

"There is low confidence that strong northwesterlies ahead of the front will reach severe gale about the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua District. Behind the front gale southwesterlies are likely about the southern South Island and there is low confidence that a wind warning will be needed in Stewart Island and some coastal parts of Southland and the Clutha District."