That strong northwesterly airflow we have been talking about all through this week isn’t going away – and neither are the winds!

North Island

The westerly winds are looking strongest in the North Island, western and upper parts of the island looking most likely to get blown around today, while Cook Strait is going to continue its rough week.

Gale strength winds are possible again through the strait, as well as exposed inland parts of the South Island too.

Mid and high level cloud are expected at times in the North Island, with the chance of a light shower from Taranaki through to Kapiti early on in the day, but things should dry out.

The East Coast is looking decidedly nicer, with sunny areas, high cloud and warm temperatures the order of the day.

South Island

Thick high cloud will be the only feature of the east coast of the South Island’s weather today, as it should stay dry and warm through most of it.

The West Coast is a different story, with rain, possibly heavy and thundery to set in early and worsen through the afternoon.

And for Southland and Otago, it’s looking cloudy with some light winds, and spells of rain developing in the afternoon – but these should dissapate by evening. 

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell

– Map: Google