The forecast for the last days 2 days of 2016 and start of 2017 — An anticyclone lies over the country on Friday then on New Years Eve northwesterlies build over the South Island while a ridge hangs on in the north. A front slowly moves northwards over the South Island during the day reaching the lower North Island in the evening.

Friday

Calm conditions due to an anticyclone. Temperatures in the high teen to low twenty range for most, perhaps hitting the mid twenties about inland parts of the upper North Island. Inland parts of the lower South Island likely to get into the mid twenty degree range.

Saturday

Blue – Rain moves onto the West Coast of the South Island in the morning, heavy at times especially afternoon onwards.

Purple – Northwesterlies through Cook Strait becoming strong from afternoon, gusting to gale at times. Northwesterlies about inland Canterbury / Marlborough becoming brisk to strong in the evening.

Yellow – Temperatures getting into the mid 20’s for eastern parts of New Zealand in the afternoon.

Sunday

Blue – Heavy rain for North Westland easing from afternoon, pushing onto the lower North Island in the west during the evening.

Purple – Gale northwesterly winds through Cook Strait ease overnight. Brisk to strong northwesterly winds about the eastern South Island Banks Peninsula northwards ease in the evening.

Yellow – Temperatures getting into the late 20’s for eastern parts of New Zealand in the afternoon, perhaps even early 30’s for some eastern South Island areas.

– 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