A west to southwesterly airflow lies over the North Island today. The South Island sees a strengthening west to northwesterly airflow, a front moves onto the lower South Island later in the evening. Northwesterlies strengthen over New Zealand on Wednesday especially later on with a very deep low moving past the lower South Island overnight, a strong west to southwesterly airflow for the country on Thursday.

Tuesday

Blue – Rain becoming heavy about Fiordland in the evening, pushing northwards overnight. Rain may be heavy about Southland for a time later in the evening / overnight then easing.

Purple – Brisk to strong northwesterly winds about the east of the South Island and through Cook Strait.

Yellow – Temperatures lifting into the mid to late 20 mark.

Wednesday – Weather is looking vey unsettled later in the day / overnight. A check of metservices official warnings for the South Island and the lower North Island would be advised due to the incoming weather.

Blue – Areas of rain heavy at times during the day for the West Coast, torrential falls possible in the evening with thunderstorms. Rain may be heavy about Southland and Otago in the evening also with a chance of thunderstorms inland then easing overnight.

Purple – Northwesterlies strengthen for all of the South Island and about the lower North Island from afternoon, many regions will experience gale force winds later in the evening / overnight perhaps even severe gale for some.

Yellow – Temperatures lifting into the mid to late 20 mark.

Thursday – A check of metservices official warnings for New Zealand would be advised if you may be affected by wind on Thursday. Rain is heavy also for some parts however the wind will be the main factor especially about southeastern parts of the South Island.

Blue – Heavy rain eases early in the morning about Buller and northwest Nelson, becoming heavy during the morning about the western North Island for a time then easing in the afternoon as a southwest change moves through.

Purple – Strong northwesterlies for some parts of the North Island, gales through Cook Strait then easing a tad from afternoon as winds tend a little more westerly. The upper South Island in the east sees brisk to strong northwesterlies ease during the afternoon as a southwest change moves in. Southland and Otago see gale southwesterlies (possibly severe gale) develop in the morning then easing late afternoon / evening.

Yellow – Temperatures in the mid 20’s for the east of the North Island in the afternoon.

– 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