A westerly airflow lies over New Zealand today with a front moving onto the lower South Island this evening. A weak ridge pushes in on Friday while a low becomes organised just north of the North Island. A ridge covers the South Island on Saturday while a deep low sits just offshore to the northeast of the North Island directing in a strong southeasterly airflow.

Thursday

Purple – West to northwesterly winds gusty about many parts of the South Island especially in the afternoon, winds strongest about coastal Southland. Northerlies through Cook Strait become gusty in the afternoon then ease later in the evening.

Yellow – High’s in the low to mid twenties for the eastern North Island in the afternoon, mainly inland away from the coast.

Friday

Blue – A cool morning to start for Central Otago, chance of a light frost but temperatures around 2 degrees at dawn may be more likely.

Overnight or more towards dawn on Saturday rain moves into East Cape with heavy falls possible.

Saturday

As a deep low sits just offshore to the northeast of the North Island expect strong southeasterlies for the northeastern corner of the North Island, winds gusting to gale about coastal areas. Rain about East Cape through to northern Hawkes Bay looks to be heavy at times.

The South Island is mainly settled under a ridge of high pressure.

– 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