Strong southeasterlies for the lower South Island today, northwesterlies further north while a deep low straddles the South Island. A southerly quarter airflow over the South Island (strong in the east) spreads northwards over the North Island during the afternoon / evening on Saturday. Southwesterlies ease on Sunday.

Friday

Blue – A deep low straddles the upper South Island today. Expect some heavy rain about the eastern South Island Banks Peninsula southwards, areas of flooding looking very possible about South Canterbury through to North Otago. Rain like this may cause slips also. Some heavy rain catches the upper northwest of the South Island during the day also.

Showers about the upper North Island may be heavy at times today, especially afternoon.

Purple – Winds around the low are gusty and strong, more so about the eastern South Island south of Banks Peninsula where severe gales may develop about the coast.

Northwesterlies for the upper North Island area gusty during the day, strong about coastal areas. Overnight or perhaps more towards dawn on Saturday there may be a period of particularly strong winds for Northland / Auckland about coastal areas.

Snow keeps above 700m for the South Island. Lowering to 600 or maybe 500m in the evening about Southland / Otago, perhaps 400m by dawn on Saturday.

Saturday

Blue – Rain for the eastern South Island may be heavy in the morning then gradually easing. Morning rain / showers for the upper North Island may be heavy then easing.

Purple – Strong southwesterlies for the eastern South Island gusting to gale at times then easing from evening, gusty southwesterlies spread up the North Islands east coast from evening.

Strong northwesterlies for the upper North Island ease from afternoon.

Snow flurries to 400m about Southland / Otago although not looking very heavy, just flurries. Snow to 500m about Canterbury.

Sunday

A spell of calmer weather on Sunday, a frosty start for the inner South 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