The windy westerly flow across New Zealand is pushing temperatures above average for many regions at the moment but on Sunday winds do tilt more sou’west, which will see a cool down (back to normal) for many in the South Island, then into the North Island later in the day or night.

The westerly flow will bring rain and showers to the western side of both islands and snow over the high mountains of the South island. Localised heavy rain and isolated lightning will be possible and snowfall of 30cm will be expected in the Southern Alps.

As for the eastern side of both islands, it will be dry and warmer due to the rain shadow effect. However, wind speeds may reach 20-30 km/h Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, a low in the south sea will move eastward and the weather pattern will slightly change. Rain will clear the West Coast of the South island and showers/patchy rain shift east side. It looks like a wet, colder, day in Christchurch.

In the North island, the westerly wind will still give showers to the western side, including Auckland.

On Monday, it will be a mostly sunny, calm, day for many parts of New Zealand under a migratory high pressure system – rain and wind returns Tuesday.