A brisk to strong northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today. Friday sees yet another front move in from the Tasman Sea, hitting the South Island from afternoon then the North Island overnight. A west to northwesterly airflow for much of the country on Saturday.

Thursday

Blue – Areas of rain along the West Coast may be heavy at times with a risk of thunderstorms.

A few bands of rain passing over the western North Island at times today, heavy falls and thunderstorms possible. Long periods of dry at times also.

Heavy showers possible about Southland / Otago this afternoon and evening for a time as a gusty west to southwest change moves through.

Purple – Northwesterly winds are brisk to strong through central parts of New Zealand today. Gales through Cook Strait and perhaps about parts of North Canterbury / Marlborough.

Friday

Blue – A front moving onto the South Island in the afternoon from the west brings heavy rain to the West Coast, spreading northwards then moving onto the western North Island overnight.

Purple – Northwesterlies naturally are looking to be brisk / strong for many parts of New Zealand ahead of this front, winds are strongest about the inner South Island in the afternoon and elsewhere late afternoon / evening.

Saturday

The spring like westerly airflow continues, heavy falls at times for western regions and mixed in is a dose of blustery westerly quarter winds, ramping up about the lower South Island from afternoon. Coming in strong from the southwest overnight about the upper North 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