High pressure is mainly in control today, a northerly airflow develops over the South Island from evening. Northerlies strengthen on Friday ahead of a front which moves northwards over the South Island during the day, this front crosses the North Island from afternoon on Saturday.

Thursday

Blue – A few heavy showers about eastern Northland and perhaps Great Barrier Island / Cormonadel ease this morning.

Frosts continue for inland areas of both islands, the coldest lows this morning are about Central Otago and the Central North Island where there are some -4 degree temperatures.

Perhaps a touch of fog to start the day about the eastern North Island (mainly inland) and also the Waikato. Fog may return again overnight including Auckland. A risk of fog this morning about some inland South Island areas also then breaking away.

Friday

Blue – Heavy rain develops about South Westland in the 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 the West Coast of the South Island ease from afternoon, easing about Nelson / Marlborough later in the day. Rain becoming heavy about the upper North Island in the evening then easing overnight.

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 / overnight.

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