A cold front moves northwards over the South Island today bringing rain or showers to the lower South Island this morning, then reaching into Canterbury and Marlborough this evening. Another cold front moves northwards over the North Island bringing showers, it will weaken during the day. Showers clear in the west overnight.

Expect some snow to develop east of the Main Divide lowering to 400m overnight for the likes of Canterbury.

Expect showers or some drizzle for eastern regions on Thursday, drying out from afternoon for the eastern South Island. Mainly dry in the west however keep an eye out afternoon / evening when there could be a few isolated showers, Greymouth northwards for the South Island and Waikato northwards for the North Island.

Morning snow flurries to 400m for the eastern South Island clear away, expect snow flurries to about 700m for the ranges of the eastern North Island.

Expect dry weather for the South Island on Friday, a few morning showers Auckland northwards clear for the North Island. Hawkes Bay has the odd shower, mostly clearing in the afternoon. One or two showers linger about Gisborne till evening.

For rainfall accumulation maps for 1, 2 and 3 days out please visit our new maps page: https://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/maps-radars/rain/accumulative-rainfall

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz