Strong cold southerlies lie over New Zealand on Thursday. The North Island will certainly see temperatures drop.

For most of the upper North Island expect showers and strong cold southerly winds, showers ease in the afternoon and perhaps clear for Auckland, Waikato and the Bay Of Plenty. During the morning heavy showers with hail may affect Auckland although these showers may be just north of the city. Northland will likely see these heavy showers with possible hail in the afternoon.

Showers affect Wellington and the east coast for much of the day with strong southerly winds, gales likely for coastal areas. Snow flurries about the Central Plateau and along the eastern ranges down to 400m. About northern Taranaki and Wanganui through to Kapiti showery conditions may ease in the afternoon and clear with perhaps even some sun breaking through.

Showery conditions for much of the east coast of the South Island, snow flurries to 300m may lower to low levels at times (200 to 100m). Showers ease about the lower South Island clearing in the afternoon, easing about Canterbury from afternoon then clearing for many in the evening although a few coastal showers remain overnight Banks Peninsula northwards.

The West Coast and Nelson looks to have mainly sunny weather due to the blocking nature of the Southern Alps.

Not all regions and towns have been mentioned above. 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