On Friday we have a strong northwesterly airflow over New Zealand, while a front moves over the South Island.

The front hits Southland in the morning, moving north to reach the top of the South Island by late afternoon or early evening.
The front moves onto the lower North Island later in the evening, and then further north overnight.

Strong winds will be a key focus of the day, while heavy rain is in store for some western regions

As this front moves through, winds tend west to southwest – while behind it conditions ease.
There may be a few showers later in the day along the South Island’s east coast, as this southwest change makes inroads into Canterbury and further inland.

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