A low crosses over central New Zealand during today then on Thursday northwesterlies gradually develop on Thursday. A front pushes northwards over the country on Friday with a southwest change following in behind.

Wednesday

Blue – As a low churns over central New Zealand during the day this brings a risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms about the upper South Island and lower North Island. While storms may occur in any of these areas through till early evening, heavy showers and possible thunderstorms don’t develop about the Wairarapa and perhaps southern Hawkes Bay till afternoon.

About Central Otago and some parts of inland South Westland isolated heavy showers may develop in the afternoon, only a low risk of a thunderstorm developing.

Purple – West to northwesterly winds about the upper North Island in the west will be gusty but gradually easing from mid afternoon.

Thursday

Blue – Some heavy rain moves into Fiordland / South Westland from evening.

Friday

Blue – Heavy rain moves northwards along the West Coast of the South Island during the day, rain may turn thundery in the afternoon for North Westland. Rain reaches Taranaki later in the evening with the chance of a heavy fall.

Purple – Strong northwesterly winds develop through Cook Strait in the afternoon, winds may gust to gale at times then easing later in the evening as winds change gusty Southerly.

Southwesterlies about coastal Canterbury may be brisk / strong for a time from late morning and through the afternoon then easing in the evening.

– 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