A large low will slowly drift into New Zealand this long weekend and is deepening as it does so. There may be some localised pockets of rough weather amongst it all.

Here are the main highlights…

• Settled weather will continue Friday in most areas under high pressure.
• A deepening low in the Tasman sea will aim for the North Island over the weekend and develop further.
• NE winds will gradually become stronger and rain will start in Northland on Saturday with isolated heavy falls and potentially an isolated rumble of thunder.
• Later in the day this rain moves into Auckland – perhaps preceded with some light showers.
• Localised heavy rain may be possible and could lead to low level flash floods or minor flooding – drivers should take extreme care and children playing near drains, streams this long weekend.
• Winds of 40-60km/h will also occur over the upper North Island, mainly marine areas. High waves of about 3-4m are also possible.
• The deepening low will slowly approach New Zealand and the rain areas will expand to Wellington by Saturday night.
• Though the low is still in the Tasman Sea on Sunday, rain will fall as far south as Christchurch and Canterbury by then.
• Unsettled weather will continue in most areas of New Zealand on Sunday – but not so much Otago, Southland and South Westland which are mostly aware from this weather.
• As for the high mountains in the South Island, some snow will fall this weekend.
• Monday sees the low moving into the North Island bringing more rain, showers and clouds to the North Island and eastern South Island.
• A nationwide cold snap follows this low on Tuesday and Wednesday next week at this early stage.

– Remember the red shading for THUNDER indicates the risk zone amongst the rain – it doesn’t imply there are widespread thunderstorms all in that red area, simply the highest risk for them in that zone.

– 12Noon Queen’s Birthday Monday shows the low moving into the North Island, but dry in Southland, Central Otago and south Westland

– WeatherWatch.co.nz