Another burst of rain (cold front) moves into the west of the country overnight tonight/or towards dawn on Thursday. Then yet another front moves into western New Zealand on Thursday evening with a brisk westerly airflow becoming quite strong. Strong west to southwesterly winds lie over the country on Friday while a trough moves over the North Island – and yup, more rain and showers.

Wednesday
Blue – Heavy rain (which has now mostly cleared)
Purple – Brisk to strong westerly winds ease this evening, winds may tend southwesterly about Banks Peninsula.

Thursday
Blue – Areas of heavy rain for many western regions on Thursday, especially morning and then again later in the evening. There may be heavy showers at any time during the day however with thunderstorms and a risk of hail, mainly Buller northwards and Auckland southwards. Some of these downpours will be intense – but the front isn’t too slow so any thunder shouldn’t linger too long. The faster the showers/thunderstorms move the less likely we are to see flash flooding/damage.
Purple – Gusty westerly winds for much of the North Island during the day however winds really ramp up in the evening with gales possible especially in the west. Overnight strong southwesterly winds with winds gusting to gale develop about the eastern South Island mainly near the coast. Classic spring weather.

Friday
Blue – Heavy showers with thunderstorms and a risk of hail for the upper North Island, easing from afternoon – they will be scattered about so not everyone will get one, but the risks are there. Some morning heavy rain possible for Wellington / Wairarapa then easing. Overnight heavy rain and thunderstorms move into South Westland too.
Purple – Strong westerly winds for the upper North Island ease in the evening by which time winds tend southwest. Strong south to southwesterly winds about the east of the South Island (coastal) and lower North Island ease in the evening 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