A brisk westerly airflow covers most of the country today, a southerly change makes its way up the east coast of the South Island during the day however. On Thursday a widespread strong southerly airflow develops over the South Island as a low pressure system sits out to the east of the country, westerlies cover the North Island tending southerly overnight. A south to southwesterly airflow on Friday gradually eases.

Wednesday

Blue – Rain with the odd heavy fall about North Westland / Buller, easing overnight. Some brief heavy rain for the western North Island early this morning then easing. From later in the evening and overnight rain with a brief period of heavy falls may affect the west of the North Island, a chance of thunderstorms too mainly out west.

A southerly change moves into the lower South Island this morning bringing some rain which sneaks up into parts of South and Mid Canterbury late afternoon or evening with the chance of a heavy fall or two. 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 – Areas of rain for east of the South Island may be heavy for a time then easing by evening. Some rain with heavy falls spreads into the lower North Island in the afternoon, chance of a heavy fall then easing evening.

For many in the North Island early heavy rain eases then expect showers, some of which may be heavy with thunderstorms then easing in the evening.

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 afternoon / evening.

Brisk westerly 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.

Friday

Blue – Chance of a light frost to start the day about the lower South Island.

Purple – Strong southwesterlies gusting to gale drop away in the afternoon for eastern parts of the country.

– 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