Cloudy areas and the odd shower possible, the Waiakato and Bay Of Plenty are looking to be mainly dry with a chance of sun. Breezy west to southwesterly winds.

Highs: 15-17

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Any early showers clear then expect sunny spells with strengthening westerly winds. Chance of a shower from evening then overnight a strong southwest change moves in bringing some rain, perhaps some snow about higher parts of the Desert Road by dawn on Saturday.

Highs: 8-15

Eastern North Island

Sunny spells, winds gusty from the southwest then tending westerly in the afternoon at which point skies become sunnier. Overnight a strong southwest change moves in bringing showers, snow flurries about the ranges of Wairarapa to 500m.

Highs: 15-16

Wellington

Any early morning showers clear then expect sunny spells with northwesterlies freshening from midday. Overnight winds change strong cold southerly bringing showers and a few snow flurries to 500m.

High: 14

Marlborough & Nelson

Mainly sunny with west to northwesterly winds, overnight a gusty southwest change brings a few showers and snow flurries to 400m for a brief time.

Highs: 14-15

Canterbury
Mostly sunny with west to northwesterly winds. Later in the evening a strong southwest change brings gales about the coast, a burst of wintry showers and snow flurries to 300m at night before clearing away.

High: 13-14

West Coast

Mostly cloudy with the odd shower, showers more likely in the evening as gusty westerlies tend strong southwest. Some snow in the evening about the ranges to 500m (perhaps 400m) for a time before clearing overnight.

Highs: 10-12

Southland & Otago

Showers about Southland with snow flurries to 400m, late afternoon westerly winds tend strong southwest (gales about the coast) with the snow level lowering to near sea level. Flurries may sit just about sea level or perhaps give brief bursts to sea level at times, Invercargill often gets no snow as Stewart Island shelters the city in southwest air flows. For Otago expect gusty westerly winds, cloudy areas and the chance of a shower, late afternoon or evening winds tend strong southwest bringing a higher risk of showers and snow flurries develop to low levels later in the evening (50 to 100m).

Highs: 8-11

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz