A cold front is heading up NZ this weekend as heavy rain continues in QLD and heatwave with temperatures 45 to 50C forecast for WA.

The NZ cold front will bring about 2 to 15mm across the South Island, then showers line up along the eastern North Island.

We’re still monitoring a possible tropical cyclone next week north of NZ – but modelling today suggests it may be a bit messy and could fail to just reach cyclone status. Either way, it’s one to watch due to future tracking which brings it towards NZ – but high pressure further south may well help it fall apart.