A west to northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today, conditions may become unstable about the western North Island. Southwesterlies for much of the country on Friday, a fast moving front moves over the South Island overnight then over the North Island on Saturday.

Thursday

Isolated showers about the upper North Island especially in the west may be heavy at times with a risk of hail, perhaps even a flash of lightning then easing from mid afternoon.

Friday

Blue – Morning showers for the western upper North Island may be heavy with hail then easing by midday.

A quick moving front brings some heavy rain to the South Island’s West Coast overnight.

Purple – West to southwest winds are gusty about the western North Island, easing a little in the evening.

Saturday

Gusty westerlies for much of the country on Saturday. Later in the evening / overnight conditions ramp up with heavy rain and thunderstorms moving onto the South Island’s West Coast and strong northwesterly winds developing for many, especially about the inner South Island and through Cook / Foveaux Straits.

– 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