A front races northwards over the South Island on Thursday morning then pushes northwards over the North Island during the afternoon / evening, all in a strong westerly quarter airflow.

A front brings heavy rain to the West Coast of the South Island on Thursday, reaching the western side of the North Island in the afternoon. This front may bring thunderstorms also. Generally dry for eastern regions although as a front passes over spots of rain will spread from the west. Winds strong from the west for much of the South Island and lower North Island.

Snow to 500m about the mountainous parts of the South Island south of Buller, perhaps 400m at a push for parts of Fiordland / Southland. As the flow will be westerly snow will be coming in from the west so the further east one goes into the foothills of Canterbury for example it will become drier and snow levels will lift.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz