Between a high centred to the northeast of New Zealand and a low in the Tasman Sea lies a front streaming onto the northwestern corner of the South Island today. Tropical Cyclone Donna starts to descend southwards in the tropics. A frontal system moves from west to east over the South Island in the morning on Thursday then the North Island later in the day / overnight, meanwhile ex Tropical Cyclone Donna positions itself just north of the North Island overnight. A southerly airflow spreads over much of the country on Friday.

Wednesday

Blue – Rain for the West Coast of the South Island becomes heavy at times from evening, rain becoming heavy overnight or perhaps more towards dawn on Thursday about northern Taranaki.

A cold start about the lower South Island this morning of around -1 to +1 degrees celsius.

There may be some fog for the eastern South Island this morning which will break away.

Thursday

Blue – Rain about the West Coast of the South Island and Nelson / western Marlborough is heavy in the morning then easing to showers, showers may continue to be heavy at times till evening with the risk of a thunderstorm.

Rain possibly heavy about northern Taranaki during the day, from late afternoon or evening rain becomes heavy about the western North Island then pushing over much of the North Island overnight where rain could become torrential in some regions.

Purple – Gusty north to northeasterly winds about coastal Taranaki and perhaps parts of the outer Marlborough Sounds / through Cook Strait then easing late afternoon or evening.

Friday

Blue – Heavy rain about western Bay Of Plenty eases in the morning, heavy / torrential falls about East Cape and Gisborne ease during the afternoon.

A bit cold to start about some inland South Island areas around 0 to +2 degrees celsius in the blue shaded areas below.

Purple – Southerlies becoming gusty about coastal Gisborne / East Cape 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