We start the week with a low bringing some rain to western regions of New Zealand today, then a break in the weather and mainly settled conditions on Tuesday as a ridge of high pressure moves in. Wednesday marks the start of a cold outbreak over the South Island which may bring heavy snow to the Canterbury and Otago high country.

Blue – Rain with heavy falls and thunderstorms possible late afternoon / evening about some western parts of the country.

Purple – A southwest wind change later in the evening may bring strong winds to a few upper North Island areas, especially western coastal fringes.

Tuesday

White – A frosty start for many South Island regions, especially inland, where parts of inland South Canterbury and inland Otago could dip down to -4, even -8 degrees Celsius in some isolated spots.

Wednesday

Blue – Rain spreads over the South Island from the west in the morning, becoming heavy at times for many by midday, easing in the evening on the West Coast and some eastern regions overnight. Rain for western regions of the North Island, becoming heavy for a time in the evening and overnight also.

White – Heavy snow likely in the high country above 700m from morning about North Canterbury. Mid Canterbury southwards sees heavy snow to 600m, perhaps 500m, then easing a little in the evening.

– 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, WeatherWatch.co.nz