A front pushes in from the west, gradually moving over the North Island this afternoon / evening meanwhile cold southerlies spread over the upper South Island reaching the lower North Island this evening. Cold southerlies cover the country on Friday then easing on Saturday as a ridge of high pressure moves in.

Thursday

Blue – Heavy rain eases from afternoon about North Westland. Rain becoming heavy in the morning about Taranaki, easing from afternoon. Rain with possible heavy falls about the Waikato / Central North Island in the afternoon then easing in the evening. Canterbury sees rain from early this morning, heavy falls possible especially inland then easing late afternoon / evening.

White – Snow flurries about Southland / Otago to 400m lowering to low levels (200 to 100m) by evening. Canterbury sees snow to 700m lowering to 200m overnight.

Purple – Southerlies becoming brisk to strong about the Marlborough Sounds / lower North Island in the evening.

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 (200 to 100m) about the east of the South Island ease and clear overnight, snow is not heavy.

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

Saturday

A frosty start about inland areas of both islands, heavy frosts likely about the inner South Island. Gusty southwesterlies along the east coast of the North Island ease 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