A low pressure system approaches central New Zealand from the west during today bringing unsettled weather for most regions. This low crosses over the country on Friday letting in a strong cold southerly airflow which pushes northwards over both Islands during the day.

A dry morning for the upper North Island today then showers spread from the north afternoon onwards, chance of an isolated heavy fall. Showers ease in the evening then overnight rain pushes in from the west. The odd shower for the lower western North Island, more so from afternoon then rain pushes in from the west overnight. Mainly dry in the east, a few spots of rain may spread into the Wairarapa at times. Heavy rain for the western South Island eases from afternoon, heavy rain may persist about Nelson (especially northwest Nelson) for much of the day. Rain eases in the afternoon for Canterbury northwards in the east, long dry spells develop then overnight rain picks up again. Cloudy areas for Otago with a shower or two. Mostly sunny for Southland, cold wintry SW winds push in overnight with showers and snow flurries to 300m.

Early heavy rain eases about the upper North Island on Friday then showers, some heavy with a chance of thunderstorms and hail pushes in from the west. These showers ease later in the afternoon. Rain or showers for the lower western North Island for much of the day, northerlies change around to the south in the afternoon becoming strong. Early rain clears for the eastern North Island then a cold southerly change pushes northwards bringing further rain. Snow flurries lower to 300m in the evening about Wellington and 500m further north for the Central North Island. Rain or showers for most of the eastern South Island on Friday with strong cold southerlies, snow flurries lower to low levels (200 to 100m) about Southland, Otago and Canterbury. Flurries lower to 300m by evening about southern Marlborough. Morning rain along the West Coast then some sun may break through from afternoon.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz