A front pushes off the northern South Island this morning then over the North Island during the afternoon, meanwhile strong west to southwesterly winds lie over the rest of the country. Southwesterlies ease on Friday with a ridge pushing in later in the day. Saturday sees our brief lasting ridge slip away to the east then another large and deep low moves towards the western side of New Zealand later in the day / overnight.

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 North Westland and Nelson / western Marlborough, 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 this morning then easing late afternoon / evening.

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

Friday

Blue – Conditions calm down plenty on Friday however early morning showers about the lower North Island may be heavy before easing.

Saturday

Blue – Heavy rain moves into the West Coast of the South Island from evening, thunderstorms possible overnight especially for North Westland.

Purple – Strong to gale north to northeasterly winds develop about coastal parts of the upper South Island later in the evening / overnight. A similar situation for the western and lower North Island.

Yellow – Temperatures reaching into the mid 20’s for a time in the afternoon about the eastern North Island.

– 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