A high pressure system sits west of the North Island in the Tasman Sea today directing a westerly quarter airflow over New Zealand. On Thursday a north to northeasterly airflow gradually develops for most as a low brews in the Tasman Sea west of the South Island. A front pushes over the country on Friday from the west, clearing the South Island in the afternoon however it may not clear the North Island till later in the day.

Wednesday

Yellow – Another hot day in the east and for Northland especially inland, temperatures getting up into the mid to late 20’s for most with low 30’s even possible for the east of both Islands. Hawkes Bay may get a coastal easterly bringing slightly cooler afternoon temperatures.

Blue – Some rain for Fiordland for much of the day with the chance of a heavy fall or two.

Purple – Brisk westerly winds for much of the day about the lower North Island in the west (mainly coastal).

Thursday

Purple – Northeasterly winds pick up about some coastal parts of the South Island later in the day / overnight. Winds will mainly just be brisk / gusty although they could be strong overnight with a risk of gale gusts about coastal Fiordland.

Friday

Blue – Rain for the west of both Islands may be heavy at times, more so the West Coast of the South Island with thunderstorms even possible for South Westland. Rain eases for the West Coast of the South Island from afternoon and over the upper North Island in the evening.

Purple – Strong northerly winds for the lower North Island and much of the South Island, winds may gust to gale through Cook Strait and about coastal Taranaki. From afternoon winds tilt a little more northwest with gales likely for many especially about the inner South Island in the east and through Cook Strait.

– 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