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 while a front crosses the North Island and a southerly airflow moves north for the east of the South Island. A southwesterly airflow lies over the country on Saturday.

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.

Friday

Blue – Some rain for the east of the South Island with the chance of few heavy falls, easing about Otago in the morning and reaching Canterbury in the afternoon. While rain may be heavy for a time it moves on fairly promptly so issues should remain at a minimum.

A rain band crosses the North Island early afternoon, there may be some brief heavy rain for a time although this front moves along fairly quickly.

Purple – Southwesterly winds about the east coast of the South Island will be strong from the southwest, a low risk of gales. Overnight strong to gale southerly winds move into the lower North Island.

Saturday

Blue – It may be a frosty start about the interior of the South Island.

Purple – Strong south to southwesterly winds ease from afternoon about the lower North Island in the east.

– 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