A westerly airflow lies over the North Island today while Northerlies develop further south. A front pushes northwards over the South Island during Saturday, reaching the western North Island later in the evening. Expect strong northerly winds ahead of this front then changing westerly in behind.

Some cloud for the western North Island today, perhaps a light shower or two also. Sunnier conditions out east. A similar story for the South Island however showers or rain will be a bit more persistent about Fiordland during the day.

Heavy rain for the West Coast of the South Island spreads into Taranaki later in the evening, thunderstorms and hail are possible also mainly from afternoon for the West Coast. Expect strong northerly winds for many parts of the South Island and lower North Island during the day, changing westerly during the afternoon and evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz