Last nights fast moving cold front has a left a strong west to south west wind flow behind it which today will surge across the country.

Temperatures, for the first time in weeks for some regions, will return to normal for mid-August.  While it may feel cold where you are today, the temperatures for the most part are simply average – a reflection of how mild it has been over the past month.

Showers will affect most of the western coastline, some squally with hail and perhaps a few isolated thunderstorms again.

Eastern areas may be sunnier but the air flow isn’t as warm as the past few weeks have been.

For the most part the brisk or blustery winds will ease this evening but for some pockets it will continue overnight.

In true spring fashion Thursday is another calm day that sees winds gradually swing back to the north west in time for a new low to push over New Zealand by Saturday.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz