This coming week is certainly looking unsettled, we’ll have periods of mild weather followed by west to southwesterly changes usually bringing rain then showers for most. It’s not looking all that cold though, in fact milder in general overall then it would normally be at this time of year. It will certainly be windy for some.

Today we have a strong northwesterly airflow for much of New Zealand, these winds will be felt the most over Canterbury, Marlborough and the lower North Island where gales are possible for exposed areas especially this afternoon. Expect a cloudy day for the west of the South Island with rain or showers, picking up in intensity from this afternoon. Cloudy areas in the west of the North Island Waikato southwards with showers about mainly this afternoon. Sunny areas elsewhere with warm temperatures in the east.

On Tuesday we have a strong west to northwesterly airflow over the North Island bringing showers then rain in the west, thunderstorms are possible too with heavy falls. Showers spread out to all eastern regions too then easing for all in the afternoon clearing for most in the evening. The South Island has a low pressure system move over it during the day, some rain moves northwards through Canterbury and Marlborough during the day with a southerly change, rain or showers in the west clear later in the day. Remaining fairly dry over Southland and Otago with only the chance of a shower or two although North Otago may pick up on the influence from the southerly change a little further north.

Wednesday brings a slight reprieve from unsettled conditions, spells of rain continue for the West Coast of the South Island otherwise elsewhere will see some sun. Winds are generally west to northwest over the whole country.

Thursday sees a front move over the North Island during the day, most regions in the west see some rain especially midday onwards, scattered falls more likely out east in a strong northwesterly airflow. Showers for the west of the South Island during the day and dry out east with some high cloud, northwesterlies for much of the South Island too.

Finally at the end of the working week we have a fairly large low sitting in the Tasman Sea churning away, expect showers for much of the upper North Island in a northerly airflow. Drier further south. The South Island has light winds for many regions, dry too although the West Coast sees some rain. Southland and Otago have a southerly airflow, this brings some morning rain which eases in the afternoon.

Homepage image: Tuesday 12th May 2015 Midday MSLP / Rain map – weathermap.co.nz

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz