This week, New Zealand is getting a full dose of classic spring weather – all over the place!

Over the weekend, we had some warm, muggy nights and wild winds, MetService said in its latest weather update.

On Monday, rain and showers soaked eastern areas, and heavier downpours were expected in central western parts of the North Island as well as the Main Divide in the South Island.

Tongariro National Park was under a heavy rain warning from Monday afternoon until Tuesday morning, while the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty are covered on Tuesday until late afternoon.

Meanwhile, northern Taranaki, Waitomo, northern Taihape, Taupō, Taumarunui, Tararua Range and the headwaters of Canterbury lakes and rivers about and north of the Rangitata River to Arthurs Pass, are all under a heavy rain watch on Monday and Tuesday.

Rain sticks around on Tuesday too, but things start to settle a bit in the South Island, where rain pulls back to the eastern areas by morning, said MetService.

“On Wednesday, we get a bit of a break – clear skies for most. But don’t get too comfy – a new rain-bearing front moves into the lower South Island during the day and slowly works its way north,” said MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti.

“However, the east should hang on to some sunshine with only a few high clouds, which should be welcome news for those in Canterbury Plains and all the way to Gisborne.”

The wet weather in the west is forecast to clear up by Thursday as a ridge of high-pressure moves in – bringing calmer, sunnier skies and lighter winds, said Shiviti.

Thursday and Friday are looking like the best days of the week to get outside and enjoy some spring sunshine.

“It’s the best chance to make the most of the good weather – especially in the east – before more rain rolls in over the weekend.”

The ridge of high pressure and settled weather should hang on into Friday, but another rain-bearing front is waiting in the wings, heading into the lower South Island and creeping north through the weekend.