An area of low pressure brings rain to the upper North Island today with heavy falls possible in northeastern parts, more settled further south however there are still a few showers about. Rain for much of the South Island on Saturday with easterlies, snow possible to low levels for some. Northwesterlies further north.

Areas of rain about the upper North Island today, heavy for some northeastern parts. A few showers further south. The odd shower for the West Coast of the South Island, mostly sunny with some high cloud about Nelson / Marlborough. Canterbury has some morning sun then cloud builds from afternoon with southeasterly winds then expect evening drizzle, rain overnight. Light showers develop about Southland in the morning then Otago in the afternoon with south to southeasterly winds, overnight rain for North Otago.

Showers for much of the western North Island and Wairarapa on Saturday, showers may be heavy with thunderstorms about Taranaki and Waikato. Hawkes Bay and Gisborne are mainly dry with some high cloud. Rain for much of the South Island, heavy at times along the West Coast, possibly heavy for inland Canterbury. Snow to 800m about North Canterbury then lowering to about 300 or possibly 200m for Otago. Heavy snow possible for inland parts of Canterbury especially Banks Peninsula southwards and North Otago.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz