A foggy midweek quickly turns to a wet one, as Thursday and Friday see a front move in from the Tasman Sea, bringing rain and some strong winds.

The unsettled weather sticks around through to the weekend, before winds ease on Saturday and the rain dies away – but temperatures will stay low for the second weekend running.

 

Thursday

Blue: Rain, heavy in places across much of the North Island, and the top of the South Island

Purple: Strong northeasterlies in the north of the North Island

A northeasterly airflow strengthens over the North Island, pushing rain into Northland in the morning, then the rest of the North Island during the afternoon and evening as a front sweeps southwards. 
Rain may be heavy – especially in the east, before easing overnight. 
That rain may continue to be heavy overnight for the Bay Of Plenty – especially in the east. 
Late in the evening and overnight, rain may also become heavy about Nelson & Marlborough.

 

Friday

Dark Blue: Heavy rain for the East Coast of the North Island

Purple: Strong southeast winds through Cook Strait and the lower North Island, up to Taranaki, along with Gisborne up to Wairarapa and even further north by evening.

The low pressure system splits in two on Friday, funneling rain into the Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and the East Coast – while unfortunately the east of the South Island misses out on much needed steady rain.
Winds, meanwhile, blow strongly from the southeast as part of the low pressure system moves off to our east – with Cook Strait in the firing line. 

 

Saturday

Purple: Southeasterlies continue to blow strongly in gusts over the North Island, before easing later in the day

The same gusty southeasterly airflow still lies over the North Island to start the weekend, while a ridge of high pressure brings mainly settled weather to the South Island, though there is still some cloud about.
Showers stick around in exposed eastern coastlines in the North Island.

– Please note, the idea behind this update is to focus on the main weather highlights, which is why not all regions are mentioned. 

For specific 10 day information for your city, town, rural community or island please see the 1000 forecasts on our homepage!

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz