A front moves off the top of the South Island this morning then pushes northwards over the North Island for the rest of the day, expect strong northwesterly winds to precede the front. The flow is a little more westerly over the South Island, changing southwest about Southland / Otago and then Canterbury as the day moves along. A slack pressure gradient brings potentially unstable conditions on Wednesday then a northerly airflow increases later on Thursday.

Tuesday

Blue – Morning heavy rain about Tasman / Nelson and Marlborough eases. Further north may see heavy falls as a front passes over the North Island during the day.

Southland and parts of Otago (especially coastal) sees heavy showers in the afternoon as a southwest change moves through, easing in the evening. Showers may contain thunderstorms and hail. This south to southwest change moves into Canterbury late afternoon or evening bringing the risk of heavy showers, mainly Christchurch southwards.

Purple – Expect brisk to strong northwesterlies for many North Island regions today, easing late afternoon or evening. Winds gust to gale especially through Cook Strait and other coastal areas.

Wednesday

Blue – Afternoon heating may lead to isolated heavy showers about the upper South Island and some inland North Island areas then easing in the evening, perhaps even the chance of a thunderstorm although that’s a low chance.

Thursday

In the afternoon / evening isolated heavy showers develop about the Central North Island / Bay Of Plenty then easing later on. Chance of a thunderstorm within these showers also.

– 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