Today sees the odd shower about for the South Island, especially midday onwards in the east with snow flurries to low levels for some. A low deepens over the North Island bringing a strengthening southeasterly airflow for the lower half of the island. Strong southeasterly winds over the North Island on Saturday while southeast winds ease over the South Island and a ridge of high pressure moves in later in the day. Calm on Sunday for the South Island while a gusty southeast airflow eases over the North.

Friday

White – The odd snow flurry to low levels (200 to 100m) is possible for the east coast of the South Island. Showers a little more likely from midday, snow flurries possible to near sea level overnight. It must be stated that most of these flurries are fairly scattered and light in nature. Accumulations are likely to be minimal if not non-existent. The snow level for Marlborough sits around 300m and the lower North Island around 400m. The Central Plateau, while only a little further north, may see snow to 700m then perhaps 600m in the evening.

Snow to 600 or perhaps 500m may be heavy for the ranges of Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay.

Blue – The east coast of the North Island sees some rain, possibly heavy at times, especially later in the day / overnight. An area from Auckland and down through the Waikato may see isolated heavy showers in the afternoon with a chance of small hail then easing evening.

Purple – Southeasterlies ramp up about the top of the South Island and lower North Island from afternoon, with winds gusting to gale about coastal areas from evening.

Saturday

White – Further snow flurries for the east of the South Island, only light in nature with little to no accumulations. Flurries mostly around 200 to 100m but may reach near sea level at times before clearing in the evening.

Snow flurries about the hills surrounding Wellington down to 400m, perhaps even 300m at times. Snow flurries down to 600 / 500m elsewhere. Heavy snow likely about Hawkes Bay and about the Central North Island above 600m. While not on the map, snow down to 800m in the hills behind Gisborne is possible.

Blue – Heavy rain for the east coast of the North Island and spreading into the Central North Island also.

Purple – A strong southeasterly airflow spreads over much of the North Island in the morning. Winds may gust to gale at times about coastal fringes.

Sunday

White – Not snow this time, but a very cold start with heavy frosts likely for the South Island in the morning. Black ice may be of concern to people on the roads.

Blue – Heavy rain eases about Gisborne in the afternoon then clears evening.

Purple – Strong southeasterly winds over parts of the east and north ease away during the day.