Northerlies increase today ahead of a front which moves northwards over the South Island, this front crosses the North Island from afternoon on Saturday as a low pressure centre is situated just west of the South Island in the Tasman Sea. This low continues to sit just to the west on Sunday.

Friday

Blue – Heavy rain develops about South Westland this morning then pushes northwards to reach Nelson / Marlborough in the evening and overnight.

A touch of frost possible to start the day about inland parts of the upper North Island.

Purple – Gusty northeasterlies about coastal parts of the West Coast (South Island) from around midday. Gusty northeasterlies may develop about outer parts of Banks Peninsula from later in the evening.

Northerlies becoming brisk to strong through Cook Strait and about Taranaki overnight.

Watch for areas of fog first thing in the morning about the Waikato and other inland areas of the North Island.

Saturday

Blue – Areas of heavy rain about Buller spreading southwards during the day along the West Coast, this rain band will gradually weaken. Rain about Nelson will be heavy during the day especially afternoon / evening then easing.

Heavy rain gets into Marlborough also especially in the west and about the Sounds. Rain becoming heavy about the upper North Island in the evening then easing overnight. Heavy rain doesn’t develop till overnight about the Bay Of Plenty.

Purple – Gusty northeasterlies ease about coastal parts of the West Coast (South Island) by midday, easing elsewhere for the South Island later in the evening.

Gusty northerlies for the upper North Island ease overnight, the east coast of the North Island doesn’t see gusty northeasterlies till overnight.

Sunday

Blue – Heavy rain about the northeastern corner of the North Island slowly moves eastwards during the day then clearing overnight.

There may be a few heavy isolated showers about the Waikato in the afternoon.

Also the eastern and lower South Island see showery conditions, some snow looking possible for the ski-fields.

Purple – Gusty northeasterlies about the northeastern corner of the North Island gradually easing then dying away overnight.

– 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