A large anticyclone lies over the country today then northwesterlies develop over the South Island on Friday with a ridge further north, a front moves onto the lower South Island later in the evening. This front moves northwards over the country on Saturday however it weakens quite fast due to another incoming high.

Thursday

Yellow – Temperatures reaching into the mid 20’s for the areas in yellow below, perhaps even into the high 20’s about Central Otago.

Friday

Blue – Rain about Fiordland in the evening and for a time overnight may be heavy.

Yellow – Afternoon high’s in the mid to high 20’s for the east of New Zealand due to a northwesterly airflow.

As a front moves northwards over New Zealand on Saturday it weakens a fair amount, it will bring cloudy areas to the east of the South Island from morning, perhaps even a drizzle patch or two. A sunny start for the east of the North Island then cloud develops in the afternoon as southerlies freshen, evening drizzle also.

Sunnier for the west of the North Island on Saturday, rain or showers clears in the morning for the west of the South Island then sun breaks through from afternoon.

– 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