Today sees an increasing northerly quarter airflow over New Zealand while Ex Tropical Cyclone Fehi drops into the Tasman Sea from the tropics, this deep and large low affects the country on Thursday bringing gale winds and heavy rain for the South Island. Heavy rain may also affect the North Island from afternoon in the west.

Today sees nice and hot weather especially for the eastern South Island, later in the evening or overnight heavy rain starts to move onto the western / lower South Island.

On Thursday heavy rain with torrential falls affects the west of the South Island, thunderstorms are possible also. Rain may be heavy for the western North Island from afternoon then easing overnight. Winds are strong to gale force from the north for many regions, southerlies strengthen about the lower South Island during the day. Severe gales are very possible about many coastal areas and the inner South Island during the day.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz