Showery conditions for the eastern side of New Zealand on Wednesday, the odd shower moves into northern Auckland and Northland (especially in the west) as the flow tilts a little more to the southwest for those areas. Rain for the Kaikoura area and lower North Island picks up overnight.

Rain or showers gradually eases for eastern parts of the country on Thursday, rain may be heavy in the morning to start about Wairarapa then for a brief time in the afternoon about Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. The odd shower for western Northland clears in the afternoon. Conditions at night will be dry for most apart from a few lingering showers along the North Islands east coast. Expect frosty conditions by dawn on Friday for many parts of the South Island and also inland parts of the North Island rural southern Auckland southwards.

The snow outlook is looking similar for the next 3 days ahead as it was yesterday. A cold front moving through this afternoon about the lower South Island and into Canterbury at night brings a lowering of the snow level. Canterbury, especially in the north will be most affected by this with snow likely to 400m north of about the Rakaia River tomorrow, perhaps even 300m at times in heavier flurries, these conditions will gradually ease on Thursday.

A trip to Hanmer this afternoon / evening might be worth while with a snowy day on the cards tomorrow, perfect for the hot pools.

The Central North Island and ranges for the eastern North Island don’t escape with snow falling on Wednesday and into Thursday as indicated on the map below. The Central Plateau / Desert Road and Napier / Taupo highway will be affected so keep up to date with road conditions on Wednesday and Thursday.

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