A brisk to strong westerly airflow sits over the country right now, a system which will strengthen over the southern half of the country in the afternoon and evening, affecting conditions for the South Island.

North Island

It’s looking like brisk west to southwest winds over much of the island, bringing cloud and the chance of a shower to much of the western half of the island.

The east is looking better, with high cloud and and lighter northwesterlies which should strengthen in the late afternoon and into the evening.

Wellington and Cook Strait are again looking rough, with strong northwesterlies persisting and potentially gusting at gale force towards late afternoon and into the evening.

From Southern Taranaki through to Kapiti, strong winds will again blow from the west in the afternoon.

South Island 

The east of the South Island is looking largely fine, with sunny areas and just some high cloud thickening along the coast. 

Inland it’s looking windy, with northwesterlies set to gust at gale force in spells, especially in exposed places towards the evening.

On the opposite coast, Fiordlland is looking cloudy with rain developing in the afternoon, and then possible heavy showers spreading north up the coast in the evening.

Southland and Otago are looking mostly cloudy during the day, with Southland in particular looking wet.

Winds from the west and northwest will gust strongly at times during the day, especially on the coast.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell 

– Map: Google