A cold southerly airflow lies over New Zealand tonight and this is reflected in colder than average overnight lows for most regions as shown in the map below. Lows get down to 0 to 1 degrees about Central Otago through to the Mackenzie Country, also perhaps about inland parts of Marlborough. And in the North Island about the Central Plateau.

Tonight’s warmest overnight lows will be about Auckland between 9 and 10 degrees.

Cold southerlies will be felt about eastern New Zealand on Friday, temperatures a little more reasonable in the west. The West Coast of the South Island really gets the best weather, temperatures likely just as warm as Northland and Auckland but with sunny skies and light winds. Southland is not too shabby either but expect some morning cloud then clearing.

Also a small note that a period of heavy showers is moving through Mid Canterbury right now, these may contain some small hail and perhaps even a rumble of thunder. Lightning / thunder was reported just south of Timaru from this same line as it moved through earlier this afternoon. This line of showers moves northwards reaching Christchurch this evening but it may weaken a touch by then. We’ll have to wait and see.

For Max & Min NZ Temperature maps for the next few days and nights ahead, please visit our new maps page: https://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/maps-radars/temperature/temperature

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz