A high will spread over a number of regions on Thursday but will be short lived as the next spring front moves in for Friday bringing more rain to the West Coast and strong winds inland and out to the east.

Rain
Rain will become heavy in South Westland on Friday with the front moving northwards overnight and bringing big downpours to Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport overnight, easing from the south on Saturday morning – and clearing the West Coast by Saturday afternoon. Generally speaking the front is moving through fast enough to not cause many headaches for West Coasters – but the intensity of the rain is worthy of noting and if the front stalls it may lead to a few slips and flooding.

Due to high pressure over the North Island the front will crumble very quickly on Saturday PM bringing just a few showers the North Island’s south western coastline. 

Wind
Nor west winds build over Southland, Otago and Canterbury on Friday with gusts to gale force, especially amongst the Southern Alps.  On Saturday strong, gusty, nor’westers move into central New Zealand – affecting Cook Strait and Wellington areas – and they ease for a time further south……for a time.

Sunday?
It all repeats itself – another burst of heavy rain moves up the West Coast with gusty nor’westers turning gusty sou’west by Sunday night over the eastern and southern South Island.

The upper North Island will be driest and calmest this weekend.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz