Strong south to southwesterly winds lie over New Zealand today. Friday sees strong southerlies shunt northwards and a ridge brings settled weather to the lower South Island. Mainly settled over the South Island on Saturday due to a ridge of high pressure, southerlies cover the North Island however it is mainly dry with some sun out west, a few showers in the east.

Thursday

Purple – Strong south to southwesterly winds with gusts to gale about most coastal areas, as marked below.

White – Snow flurries to low levels about Otago and inland Southland mostly clearing this afternoon. Snow flurries to 300m or perhaps even 200m about Canterbury easing overnight, becoming fairly coastal. Snow flurries to 300m in Marlborough, more so in the south. Snow flurries to 400m for the lower North Island and eastern ranges.

During the morning heavy showers with hail may affect Auckland although these showers may be just north of the city. Northland will likely see these heavy showers with possible hail in the afternoon.

Friday

Purple – Strong southerlies for coastal Marlborough and coastal parts of the North Island ease overnight.

White – Snow flurries about parts of North Canterbury and southern Marlborough to 300m gradually lift to 500m at night. Snow flurries for the eastern ranges of the North Island to 400m gradually lift to 600m by evening.

A frosty start for many about the inland South Island.

Purple – Strong southerly winds about the east coast of the North Island ease during the day.

White – A few light snow flurries during the day for the east of the North Island to 600m.