A southeasterly airflow affects most of New Zealand today, a front within this flow brings some heavy rain for many North Island regions. A low drops out of the Tasman Sea moving closer to New Zealand as Wednesday ticks along, this brings unsettled weather with heavy rain to many regions. This low passes out to the east of the country on Thursday and the airflow changes around to the southerly quarter for the South Island, westerlies for the North Island.

Tuesday

Blue – Areas of rain about the lower and eastern North Island, heavy at times. Heavy rain possible further north however it may be a bit more sporadic.

Purple – Gusty southeasterly winds pushing through central New Zealand during the day, also eastern coastal fringes.

Yellow – Afternoon high’s reaching into the mid 20’s about Northland.

Wednesday

Blue – Areas of heavy rain across many regions during the day, not becoming heavy about Canterbury till afternoon. A few parts of the upper North Island may see thunderstorms from afternoon, perhaps even the low risk of a small tornado about western coastal fringes. Taranaki in particular may see heavy rain for much of the day including thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Purple – Gusty northerlies about northern parts of the North Island during the day. Strong easterlies about central New Zealand during the day, winds may gust to gale at times. Severe gales possible about northern Tasman and the Marlborough Sounds, also through Cook Strait. Overnight as a low starts to move over strong southwesterly winds develop about the east coast of the South Island and strong northwesterlies move into the west of the North Island.

Yellow – Afternoon high’s may just reach into the mid 20’s for parts of Northland and Gisborne.

Thursday

Blue – Areas of heavy rain about northern parts of the South Island and lower North Island ease from afternoon.

Heavy rain about the eastern South Island eases during the day, mostly showers from afternoon.

Purple – Strong westerlies about the western North Island ease from afternoon. Strong to gale southerlies about Wellington for much of the day, perhaps easing for a time in the afternoon.

About the east coast of the South Island expect strong to gale southwest winds from afternoon, severe gales possible for some coastal fringes especially Banks Peninsula.

– 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