Wednesday sees a front move over the upper South Island in the morning then onto the North Island in the afternoon, winds change west to southwest in behind. A northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand on Thursday with a front pushing onto the West Coast late afternoon / evening, a low moves onto the lower South Island in the evening. This low pressure system sits just east of the South Island on Friday bringing unsettled weather.

Wednesday

Blue – Areas of heavy rain for the West Coast of the South Island ease from afternoon.

Purple – Northerly winds about the top of the South Island and through Cook Strait are brisk to strong, easing in the evening.

Thursday

Blue – Areas of rain about Fiordland with the odd heavy fall, pushing northwards in the evening. Chance of a thunderstorm or two within this rain although only a small chance.

Overnight rain about Southland and Otago may be heavy.

Purple – From evening northerly winds about the top of the South Island and through Cook Strait become gusty / strong.

Friday

Blue – Some heavy rain for the east of the South Island, starting out about Southland / Otago and reaching Canterbury in the afternoon. Rain eases for most later in the evening / overnight.

Purple – Southwesterly winds about the east coast of the South Island will be strong from the southwest with gales looking fairly likely right on the coastal fringes. Overnight strong to gale southerly winds move into the lower North Island.

– Please note, the idea behind this update is to focus on the main weather highlights, which is why not all regions are mentioned. 

For specific 10 day information for your city, town, rural community or island please see the 1500 forecasts on our homepage!

– Aaron Wilkinson, WeatherWatch.co.nz