High pressure is parked east of the Chatham Islands today as a low pressure system in the Tasman Sea moves towards the South Island and western North Island. Between these two systems northerly quarter winds blow for most places and rain sets in from the western side.

Let’s get into the forecast for Thursday to start with…

RAIN:
Rain sets in to the West Coast with heavy falls. Some rain will spread into Nelson and Marlborough too. The North Island is drier with showers and drizzle patches most likely in the northern and western sides. Eastern areas from Hawke’s Bay down to Southland and Otago look driest.

WIND:
North to north-west winds may be a bit strong in some places on Thursday, otherwise not too problematic for most. Windiest weather looks to be around the upper South Island and Cook Strait.

TEMPERATURES:
NZ is mild with temperatures either normal or above normal for mid-November.

DAYS AHEAD
On Friday that low falls apart over NZ with heavy downpours crossing over the North Island from the west – isolated thunderstorms are possible. Mild north to north-west winds for northern NZ but a colder southerly change comes in to the lower half of the South Island across Friday with showers. A light dusting of snow on the mountains is expected.

On Saturday that colder (or cooler) southerly change heads across the South Island and over the North Island, dropping temperatures for most and driving in showers to eastern parts of NZ. Those showers also move into the North Island, mostly leaning to the south and east of the island – because high pressure is building in the west.

On Sunday high pressure covers New Zealand – and following the colder southerly of Saturday that means there is a chance of frost through the interior of the South Island. But Sunday afternoon looks milder than Saturday afternoon was in many regions.

By Monday and Tuesday more warmth returns to the country thanks to west to north-west winds.

As always drill down deeper with your hyper-local, hourly, FREE 10 day forecasts from WeatherWatch.co.nz – or download the FREE WeatherWatch App.