A fast moving front is approaching the country from the west and should make landfall in the south west corner of the South Island tonight, then slow down significantly as it moves north, reaching Auckland by midnight tomorrow.

Conditions this afternoon are mixed with two systems affecting New Zealand – the approaching front affected the far south and a low off the North Island east coast affecting much of the north.

Blustery south westerlies have been buffeting the Far North and Auckland today with winds near gale force averaging 50 to 60 km/h in exposed place (gale force is 62km/h).  Gusts are reaching 80km/h at times in exposed places.

The wind direction is bumping up temperatures in Bay of Plenty as it moves over the Kaimai and Mamaku ranges with 17 degrees from Tauranga to Whakatane.

The wind isn’t so warm in east coast places, such as Gisborne and Napier, with most of the air coming from over the sea before curving over land as a south westerly.

In the South Island cloud is building ahead of a cold front connected to a low well south of the country.   Winds will turn more westerly as the front approaches meaning another frost free night is on the way.