A weak ridge lies over New Zealand today, south to southeasterly airflows in the east, light variable winds in the west. A low gradually somersaults onto the north of the North Island on Friday spinning out of the Tasman Sea while a ridge continues in the south. A ridge continues over the South Island on Saturday although a front does approach the lower south later in the day, southeasterlies for the North Island.

Thursday

Blue – Showers about some coastal parts of the West Coast (South Island), low risk of an isolated heavy fall in the afternoon / evening.

There may be some fog this morning about the upper North Island especially inland then clearing away.

Friday

Blue – Rain moves onto Northland / Auckland in the morning and may bring a heavy fall or two.

A fairly cloudy day about the east of the country with drizzle for the eastern North Island, morning showers clear along the West Coast of the South Island then some sun breaks through from afternoon. Morning cloud breaks to afternoon sunny spells for Southland / Otago.

Saturday

Blue – Showers about northeastern fringes of the North Island may be heavy in the morning then easing away.

A cold start about much of the South Island, not a big frost but temperatures may reach down to -2 degrees celsius in isolated inland areas.

– 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