A brisk to strong northwesterly airflow covers the country today and tomorrow. A southerly change gradually develops over the lower South Island on Wednesday spreading over the rest of the country on Thursday.

Tuesday

Blue – Areas of heavy rain for many western parts of the country during the day, some may contain thunderstorms (thunderstorms mainly about the top of the South Island and lower North Island). Afternoon and evening may see 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 the odd heavy fall about North Westland / Buller, easing overnight. From later in the evening and overnight rain with a brief period of heavy falls may affect the west of the North Island.

For the southeast of the South Island, some heavy rain is possible for a time then easing in the afternoon. By dawn on Thursday areas of heavy rain may have spread to many eastern parts of the South Island, especially inland.

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 lower South Island.

Thursday

Blue – Morning heavy rain for the east of the South Island then easing.

For many in the North Island showers may become heavy with thunderstorms afternoon onwards then easing later in the evening / overnight.

Purple – Strong to gale southwesterly winds affect coastal fringes of the east coast of the South Island from morning then easing overnight, strong to gale south to southwesterly winds spread up the east coast of the North Island from afternoon.

Strong southwesterly winds affect the upper North Island for much of the day, winds just gusty for most with a low risk of coastal winds gusting to gale at times.

– 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