In true March style there is a lot going on around New Zealand weatherwise. Ex-cyclone Linda is now drifting towards northern New Zealand but not deliver any significant weather here other than a bit of cloud and maybe a shower or two in the north.

In the Southern Ocean a cold southerly change sweeps up the South Island on Friday but fades by Saturday as a high rolls in (bringing settled weather to the South Island and encouraging easterlies in the North Island).

By Monday an enormous storm in the Southern Ocean will affect the southern half of New Zealand with strong to gale force winds inland and to the east and heavy rain on the West Coast.