A ridge of high pressure over New Zealand is expected to shift north throughout the day on Sunday, while a front will be approaching the lower South Island, bringing rain to the west and south.

Behind this front, strong west to southwest winds will develop. MetService said there is low confidence that severe gale-force westerlies will impact Stewart Island and the southern coast of the South Island.

On Monday, November 25, the high-pressure ridge will remain slow-moving over the North Island, while a weakening front moves up the South Island. The risk of severe weather is minimal.

The slow-moving high-pressure system will continue to dominate the North Island on Tuesday, with a moist northwest flow developing over the lower South Island during the night. There is minimal risk of severe weather.

On Wednesday, the high-pressure ridge will persist over the North Island, while the northwest flow strengthens over the lower South Island, said a MetService spokesperson.

There is low confidence that rainfall could approach warning thresholds in Fiordland, and there is also low confidence that northwest gales could become severe in southern Fiordland, Southland, and Clutha.