A colder south to south west change has now spread nationwide across New Zealand bringing thunderstorms and heavy downpours to a number of North Island places overnight (especially in the west near the Tasman Sea).

Thursday looks a tad warmer in some areas as winds shift more west to north west again ahead of the next cold blast which arrives on Friday and continues over the weekend for a number of regions.

By Monday the southerlies will be easing as high pressure from Australia finally slides our way.