A ridge pushes onto the South Island on Saturday however only for a time as font moves onto the far south by midday, strong south to southeasterly winds ease over the North Island during the day. A southwesterly airflow over the country eases later on Sunday.

Rain or showers about the upper North Island on Saturday clearing by midday then some afternoon sun breaks through, winds from the southeast. Showers ease during the day along the east coast, clearing during the evening. Morning showers in the west Taranaki southwards clear then becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon. Snow flurries to 400m about the eastern North Island and Central Plateau for a time, perhaps down to 300m about the hills of Wellington and Wairarapa however at this level accumulations will be minimal if not non existent. Showers about Banks Peninsula northwards for the eastern South Island clear early in the morning then sunny areas develop, mainly dry for the rest of the South Island with heavy frosts likely in the morning then another period of showers moves into Southland by midday then perhaps Otago by evening.

A weakening front pushes northwards over the country on Sunday bringing a few showers to the regions as indicated in the map below. Watch for frosty conditions morning and overnight once again especially for inland areas.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz