A front pushes over the South Island this afternoon and evening then moves over the North Island later this evening / overnight. A strong northwesterly airflow covers the country on Tuesday, continues on Wednesday also mainly over the North Island. A southerly change gradually develops over the South Island on Wednesday becoming strong overnight.

Monday

Blue – Heavy rain develops about the West Coast of the South Island this afternoon then hitting the North Island’s West Coast this evening. Thunderstorms for the West Coast of the South Island from later this evening / overnight.

Purple – From afternoon and especially evening expect strong northerly winds to develop about central NZ, these winds may gust to gale especially through the Cook Strait area.

Tuesday

Blue – Areas of heavy rain for many western parts of the country during the day, some may contain thunderstorms. Afternoon and evening may have heavy showers and possible thunderstorms about some southeastern parts of the South Island then easing later in the evening.

Purple – Brisk to strong north to northwesterly winds for many over the North Island especially coastal and about the ranges of the east coast then easing later in the evening / overnight. Winds also strong about the top of the South Island and through Cook Strait with winds gusting to gale at times then easing a little from evening.

Wednesday

Blue – Rain with heavy falls and thunderstorms about North Westland / Buller, easing overnight. From later in the evening and overnight heavy showers and possible thunderstorms may affect the west of the North Island.

For the east coast of the South Island, heavy showers are possible for some in the afternoon then later in the evening / overnight as a southerly change freshens there may be some slightly more widespread heavy rain.

Purple – West to northwesterly winds build over the North Island during the morning, rising to gale through Cook Strait. A chance of coastal gales elsewhere. Then overnight a strong south to southwesterly airflow develops over the South 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