Thunderstorms, downpours, windy westerlies and long dry spells too – that’s the basic forecast for NZ over the coming week, and for large parts of Australia as the classic Autumn weather pattern arrives.

At least three high pressure zones look to affect NZ over the coming several days bringing warm and cool surges, and some cold fronts in the mix too.

With more high pressure north of NZ it stops tropical storms from forming for a while – but we do still expect more energy from the tropics this month.

For now though, many in the north and east of the North Island will be loving the drier rather than wetter phase we’re in at the moment. We have your forecast through to Monday.

⚡️⚡️⚡️Lunchtime Lightning Map: Tracking in from the Tasman Sea over the next 48 hours, western areas in particular.

📡LIVE Lightning Tracker: https://t.co/b7309qA57s

⚠️@MetService Thunderstorm Outlook: https://t.co/CrXdyQC53A

⛈️Thunderstorm Risk Maps: https://t.co/LVtkFsA8XT pic.twitter.com/S1MyQiwOLd

— WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) March 7, 2023