A ridge lies over the North Island today while northwesterlies build in the south, a front moves onto the lower South Island overnight. This front pushes northwards over the South Island during Wednesday then over the North Island overnight. A cold southwesterly airflow for New Zealand on Thursday, another front although a bit weaker moves onto the lower South Island in the afternoon then northwards.

Tuesday

Blue – Rain about South Westland becoming heavy overnight.

A cold start about inner parts of both Islands, sitting around -3 to -1 around dawn. Pukaki however starting out at around -5 degrees celsius.

Purple – Northwesterlies becoming strong through Cook Strait and about inland Canterbury overnight, winds may gust to gale.

Wednesday

Blue – Heavy rain for the West Coast of the South Island, easing from the south afternoon on wards. Rain moving onto the western North Island later in the evening or overnight with a chance of heavy falls.

Showers about Canterbury (mainly coastal) may be heavy for a time in the evening before easing overnight, a chance of small hail too.

Purple – Strong northwesterlies about inland Canterbury / Marlborough (a chance of gale gusts), easing from late afternoon. Strong to gale northwesterly winds through Cook Strait ease overnight.

Thursday

Blue – A cold start about the inner South Island, getting down to 0 or -1 at dawn.

Purple – South to southwesterly winds will be brisk to strong about coastal parts of New Zealand as indicated by the purple shaded areas below. Winds may gusty to gale about coastal Southland and Otago, also Banks Peninsula however not till evening.

– 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