Updated 7:46am — Rain arrived earlier than forecast on Wednesday for northern New Zealand – and therefore cleared earlier today.  The rain was heavy and soaking for many parts of Northland, Auckland and Waikato.  

With the rain moving through faster it means the south west change will also come in earlier today – bringing a few showers into northern New Zealand but perhaps moreso early on Friday. Waitangi itself, will have the southerly change (affecting the lower South Island at the moment) pushing through clearing the skies but dropping both the humidity and temperature. There’s a 25% chance of a shower in Waitangi.

On Saturday & Sunday mostly dry weather is expected for northern New Zealand – and the heat will return to many places in the west and inland, but it may be cooler in the east.

Meanwhile, the South Island is briefly back to winter with highs around Southland and Otago struggling to reach 12 or 13 degrees on Thursday with small hail showers and strong, cold winds.  This is caused by a large low in the Southern Ocean which may well drive in a wet southerly for Canterbury overnight Thursday and into Friday. Good news for dry areas.

Showers and cold winds remain in southern and eastern areas on Friday.

By Saturday high pressure will spread over most of New Zealand pushing the messy weather from this week out over the Pacific Ocean and away from New Zealand.

For regions in the middle of the country expect the southerly change on Thursday and Friday to bring in showers for you.

Saturday and Sunday look mostly dry across New Zealand with the next front coming out of the Southern Ocean towards the lower South Island on Monday morning.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

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