April 2014 has been similar to April 2013 with dramatic rain events rushing in to undo any of the big dry that had set in during the first quarter of the year.  As we head into May the first week is looking typically autumnal with a strong westerly flow bringing in rain bands, gales, more sun and then maybe more snow for the ranges.

The weather this weekend will be mostly settled leading up to the incoming change around Monday next week.

By Monday morning the first main front will cross the North Island – it may well break up with localised heavy downpours and even thunder, but generally speaking doesn’t look to be a widespread amount of rain.

Wind flows across most of the country will be nor’west with strongest gusts around the South Island early next week.

By the middle of next week conditions may be calming down a bit for most main centres, especially in the North Island, but by next Friday and into next weekend (May 9, 10, 11) expect a strong Autumn front to sweep in with potential gales and then a cold southerly by Sunday the 11th which may see heavy snow falling on the South Island ranges.

This change in about 10 days time may well be the coldest change so far this year – so we’ll keep you posted over the next week about its potential.

– Image / File, David Hawke

– WeatherWatch.co.nz