A cold front moves northwards over the country today. Morning rain for the West Coast of the South Island clears away, expect showers to push northwards in the east with a south to southwest change. Showers clear the lower South Island later this evening or overnight and then skies clear up, frosts will be a concern for the lower South Island overnight and into Thursday morning especially about inland areas.

Showers move into the lower North Island this afternoon as southerlies push northwards. Expect some rain for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne later in the evening / overnight.

Mainly dry for the South Island on Thursday apart from morning showers in the east Canterbury northwards clearing away. Overnight showers move into Fiordland. The North Island sees morning rain in the east (more so about Hawkes Bay / Gisborne) easing to showers in the afternoon. Showers about Bay Of Plenty spread into Coromandel, Great Barrier Island, northern Auckland and Northland during the afternoon in a southeasterly airflow.

Frosts will be a concern for inland Nelson / Marlborough overnight Thursday and into Friday morning, growers about Marlborough take note. Frosty conditions are also likely about the inner North Island, southern Auckland may even get a light frost.

Dry for most of the North Island on Friday, showers about Hawkes Bay and Gisborne ease then clear around midday. A cold front pushes northwards over the South Island, mainly the second half of the day with heavy rain in the west and a cold showery southwest change in the east reaching Canterbury in the 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