Wednesday’s headlines (x3): Settled today, System moves in Thu / Fri, Settled again in the weekend
14/03/2023 6:00pm
> From the WeatherWatch archives
Here’s what is making the weather headlines today….
SETTLED TODAY, WARMEST IN THE NORTH
A large high brings settled weather to New Zealand today, there is likely to be a fair amount of sun about however the West Coast sees some cloud and South Canterbury through to the Catlins. Northland sees a touch of high cloud according to our cloud cover map below.
Temperatures will be warmest about the upper North Island reaching into the early to mid twenties.
Cloud cover map – Wed 15th March 2023 3:00pm – GFS Windy.com 
THURSDAY / FRIDAY – A SYSTEM MOVES IN
A low and front combination is still due to move in into the second half of Thursday, overnight then into Friday. Strong northerly quarter winds develop ahead of this front, these winds will be strong to gale force about the upper South Island and lower North Island later on Thursday and overnight. Expect heavy rain to develop for the West Coast south of Greymouth from afternoon on Thursday then pushing northwards overnight, thunderstorms have a fair chance overnight.
Heavy falls and thunderstorms are still possible for the West Coast on Friday but conditions will start to ease from the south, the western North Island may see an isolated heavy fall with some thunder later in the day.
A south to southwest wind change in the afternoon or evening for Canterbury may bring a thundery shower as it moves through.
MSLP / Rain map – Fri 17th March 2023 1:00am – GFS Weatherzone.com.au 
MSLP / Rain map – Fri 17th March 2023 4:00pm – GFS Weatherzone.com.au
SETTLED FOR THE WEEKEND AFTER FRONT CLEARS
A front passes over the North Island on Saturday morning with showers or areas of rain, there could even be a few thunderstorms in the mix then easing from afternoon. High pressure moves in behind as it moves away out to the northeast. Mostly sunny for the South Island apart from a few showers in the southwest as a weak front brushes the far south.
Sunday is settled for most with high pressure again, a few showers however for southern Fiordland and East Cape / eastern Bay Of Plenty.
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Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 14 Mar 2023.
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Aaron on 14/03/2023 7:46pm
Why does the daily forecast on your app say thunderstorms for Auckland this Saturday but your written forecast above says a fine weekend? I get nervous everytime I see heavy downpours/thunderstorms since the stormwater drain in front of my house are still clogged and not able to handle intense rainfall. Cheers, Aaron.
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WW Forecast Team on 14/03/2023 10:07pm
Hi Aaron (from another Aaron)
Models have advanced since that forecast was written, thanks for the note though I’ll update that. There does appear to be a chance of a few isolated thundery falls in the morning on Saturday then clearing into the afternoon, front dragging its legs a little more now as it moves away.
Best of luck with the drains!
Aaron
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