A frontal feature pushes over the North Island this morning, weakening as it goes coming in from the west. Later in the day a northerly quarter airflow strengthens. A very vigorous front moves onto the South Island overnight bringing very heavy rain, this front moves over the North Island on Thursday.A northwesterly airflow lies over the country on Friday.

Wednesday

Blue – A band of rain may bring heavy falls and thunderstorms to the western North Island this morning then gradually easing.

Later in the evening / overnight heavy rain moves onto the West Coast of the South Island bringing a chance of thunderstorms. Rain may become torrential overnight.

Purple – Northeasterlies becoming strong about coastal South Westland and coastal Otago from evening then easing overnight. Strong northwesterlies overnight for much of the upper South Island, gales likely in exposed areas and through Cook Strait.

Thursday

Blue – Heavy rain eases in the morning along the West Coast however from afternoon showers may become heavy again at times with a risk of thunderstorms.

Some heavy rain moves into the western North Island late morning then easing from the south during the evening.

Purple – Strong to gale northerlies about the upper South Island and lower North Island ease during the afternoon.

Friday

Some heavy rain develops about South Westland in the morning then pushing northwards during the day, this will mostly be a mild event by West Coast standards.

In the afternoon there is the low risk of an isolated heavy shower about the Waikato then easing in the 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