A front pushes off the South Island this morning then moves onto the North Island this afternoon, strong northwesterlies ahead of the front tending a little more westerly in behind. A west to southwesterly airflow lies over the country on Friday then anticyclonic conditions are expected on Saturday.

Thursday

Blue – Early heavy rain moves off the northwest of the South Island then becoming heavy about the west of the North Island in the afternoon for a time, easing evening.

From afternoon heavy showers and possible thunderstorms move onto South Westland then gradually move northwards. Heavy showers, thunderstorms and hail possible from afternoon about Southland also.

Purple – West to northwesterly winds will be brisk / strong in the areas marked below.

Friday

Purple – Brisk to strong westerly winds about the lower North Island in the west and about coastal parts of the lower South Island. Winds about coastal Southland may gust to gale at times.

Saturday

No risks of note.

– 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