Today sees settled conditions however overnight a northwesterly airflow increases over the South Island then on Wednesday a front sweeps northwards over New Zealand bringing in a cold change. Strong south to southwesterly winds continue on Thursday.

Tuesday

Blue – Heavy rain moves onto the West Coast of the South Island overnight.

Purple – Strong southwesterlies develop about the lower South Island overnight, especially near the coast.

Wednesday

Blue – Heavy rain for the West Coast of the South Island eases around midday.

Purple – Strong southwesterly winds gusting to gale at times about coastal areas starting about the lower South Island in the morning then reaching the upper North Island later in the evening. Strong northwesterly winds through Cook Strait ease late afternoon / evening as winds change southerly.

White – Snow flurries to low levels (200 to 100m) about the lower South Island from late afternoon, 300m about the upper South Island by late evening and then lowering to 500m overnight about the lower North Island. For most snow is not expected to be heavy except about the lower South Island where there is some potential for low level heavy falls. A check of Metservice’s warnings and watches is advised if snow may concern you over the next few days.

Purple – Strong south to southwesterly winds with gusts to gale about most coastal areas as marked below. Easing overnight for many.

White – Snow flurries to 300m about Canterbury mostly clear later in the day although a few may linger for Banks Peninsula overnight. Showers and snow flurries to 400m for the lower North Island then clearing by midday.