A low moves over the North Island today bringing unsettled conditions, southwesterlies further south. Cold southwesterlies cover the country on Friday.

Rain or showers for much of the North Island today, becoming heavy from afternoon about Northland down to Waikato in the evening as southwesterlies strengthen. Rain or showers for much of the upper South Island, becoming intense for inland areas from mid afternoon then easing overnight. The lower South Island has a mainly dry day, perhaps a shower or two about Southland.

Rain or showers for most of the North Island on Friday once again, from afternoon showers becoming heavy in areas with a risk of hail / thunder for the upper North Island especially out west. Rain or showers for much of the eastern South Island from Southland up through to Nelson, easing from afternoon. Morning showers about North Westland clear then expect high cloud, showers may hang about Buller through till evening. Mostly sunny about South Westland. Snow flurries about the Central Plateau lower to 800m later in the day. Snow flurries to 500m about Southland / Otago, 600m for Canterbury, a few may make it below this level by a couple hundred meters but amounts will be minimal and will taper away.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz