Cold southerlies cover New Zealand today, meanwhile a ridge starts to sneak in over the lower South Island. Also late afternoon / evening an upper trough may deliver a period of heavy showers about the upper North Island. A ridge lies over the South Island on Saturday, southwesterlies ease further north. Anticyclonic conditions for Sunday.

Friday

Blue – A frosty start about the lower South Island, heavy frosts possible.

Late afternoon / evening about Auckland, the Waikato and perhaps Northland there may be a period of heavy showers then clearing at night.

White – A few low level snow flurries (200m) about the east of the South Island ease and clear overnight, snow is not heavy. A few snow flurries may lower to 400m about the east coast of the North Island (perhaps 300m for Wairarapa), only just a dusting about the ranges if anything.

Purple – Brisk to strong southerly quarter winds for the North Island ease overnight although remaining gusty in the east.

Saturday

Blue – A frosty start about inland areas of both islands, heavy frosts likely about the inner South Island.

Purple – Gusty southwesterlies along the east coast of the North Island ease overnight.

Sunday

Another frosty start morning and night, heavy frosts 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