Downpours this weekend with fairly mild winds will give way later next week to another cold blast which starts on Wednesday and peaks on Thursday over the South Island in particular.

It will likely bring a burst of snow to the ski fields of both main islands (yes, also the North Island!). Between now and then many places may lean warmer than average for this time of year.

Plenty of low pressure for NZ means instability – some of you may see the thunderstorm icon in your local forecast. This doesn’t always mean thunder, but it does mean heavy downpours and instability are likely in the days ahead with hit and miss heavy falls from the Tasman Sea.

Australia has huge high pressure from west coast to east coast – but the southern coast is stormier with gales and rain/showers at times.