Autumn is here.

That’s the verdict from many after Wednesday saw some more autumnal conditions prevail around New Zealand – the result of a strong westerly change coming through behind a frontal system from the Tasman Sea.

That strong northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand on Thursday, meaning gale northwesterly winds are again possible from afternoon.
Areas most at risk include Cook Strait of course, as well as right down through to coastal Otago in the east.
The West Coast of the South Island will see rain, with heavy falls and possible thunderstorms – especially from afternoon – then easing overnight, as northerly winds change to the west.
The east of the South Island sees sunny areas and some high cloud.

The entire North Island has both sunny areas and some cloud, along with westerly winds for most places.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz