NZ remains warmer than normal but on Friday a cooler change moves up the eastern South Island dropping temperatures in coastal areas by over 12 degrees.

This weekend we see a few heavy downpours inland with possible thunder.

But next week a giant storm in the Southern Ocean will brush NZ bringing severe weather (heavy rain to the West Coast and gales through the mountains, to the east and about Cook Strait).

The North Island is further from this low and closer to high pressure – so those in the upper and eastern North Island may not be too badly affected by the Southern Ocean low next week We also take a special look at the biggest news headlines in the weather world right now.