A northerly airflow increases today ahead of a front which moves onto the South Island in the afternoon then further north later in the evening. A gusty northwesterly airflow lies over the country on Wednesday with a front slowly moving over the upper North Island during the day. Gusty northwesterlies continue on Thursday.

Tuesday

Blue – Areas of rain for the West Coast of the South Island for much of the day, there may be some heavy rain in the afternoon then again later in the evening / overnight with a chance of thunderstorms. The west of the North Island sees some heavy rain overnight with a chance of thunderstorms also.

Purple – North to northwesterly winds associated with this front will be brisk to strong about western coastal parts of the North Island and through Cook Strait, especially later in the evening / overnight. Strong northeasterlies about coastal Fiordland ease in the afternoon.

Wednesday

Blue – A band of rain with heavy falls and possible thunderstorms moves slowly northeast over the upper North Island during Wednesday, easing in the afternoon for most although perhaps not about Northland till evening.

The West Coast of the South Island is looking to recieve heavy falls and possible thunderstorms during the day.

Purple – Winds from the northwest are strong through Cook Strait, winds may gust to gale at times. Gusty northwesterlies about Canterbury and Marlborough especially in the afternoon then easing in the evening.

Thursday

Areas of rain along the West Coast may continue to be heavy at times with a risk of thunderstorms, northwesterly winds are brisk to strong through central parts of New Zealand during the day. Gales through Cook Strait.

– 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