Today 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. Sunday is mainly settled although northwesterlies build over the South Island.

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.

Saturday

Purple – Strong southerly winds about coastal Gisborne ease during the day.

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

Sunday

Purple – A mainly settled day over the country however overnight northwesterly winds strengthen through Cook Strait.