Cold over the South Island today with snow possible about the eastern high country, gradually easing. Rain or showers for much of the North Island. Tomorrow sees the odd shower about for the South Island, especially midday onwards in the east with snow flurries to low levels for some. A low deepens over the North Island bringing a strengthening southeasterly airflow for the lower half of the island. Saturday sees strong southeasterly winds over the North Island while the airflow eases over the South Island.

Thursday

White – Snow for much of the east of the South Island above the levels mentioned below, easing in the evening and perhaps clearing for many. The heaviest falls are mainly about inland Canterbury / Marlborough. Otago and Southland will only see the odd snow flurry to low levels, more so early this morning then perhaps fairly dry for the rest of the day with cloudy periods and perhaps even some sun. Snow to 400m about Mid and South Canterbury lowers to 200m by evening. Snow flurries about North Canterbuy start out around 500m then lower to 300m by evening. Snow about Marlborough to 500m lowers to 400m by evening.

The lower North Island also sees some snow down to 600m from afternoon.

Blue – A front hanging over Northland could bring a few spells of heavy rain, mainly this afternoon.

Friday

White – Not much activity in the morning for the east of the South Island although the odd flurry to low levels is possible. From midday, showers are more likely with snow flurries to low levels (200 to 100m), perhaps even near sea level overnight. The snow level for Marlborough sits around 300m and the lower North Island around 400m. The Central Plateau, while only a little further north, may see snow to only 700m then perhaps 600m in the evening.

Blue – The east coast of the North Island sees some rain, possibly heavy at times, especially later in the day / overnight.

Purple – Southeasterlies ramp up about the top of the South Island and lower North Island from afternoon, with winds gusting to gale about coastal areas from evening. Northland also sees westerly winds strengthen from afternoon.

Saturday

White – Further snow flurries for the east of the South Island, not particularly heavy, however flurries may reach near sea level in the morning, then sit at low levels (200 to 100m) for the rest of the day till evening.

Snow flurries about the hills surrounding Wellington down to 400m, perhaps even 300m at times. Snow flurries down to 500m elsewhere. While not on the map, snow down to 700m in the hills behind Gisborne is possible.

Blue – Heavy rain for the east coast of the North Island gradually moves northwards during the day, clearing Gisborne overnight.

Purple – A strong southeasterly airflow spreads over much of the North Island in the morning. Winds may gust to gale at times about coastal fringes.

– 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