A front clears off to the northeast of the North Island early this morning, expect a cold southwesterly airflow for the rest of the day. A front races northwards over the South Island on Thursday morning then pushes northwards over the North Island during the afternoon / evening, all in a strong westerly quarter airflow.

Showers for the western North Island may be heavy with thunderstorms and hail during today, easing in the evening. Snow lowers to 800m about the Central North Island. For the east coast expect some morning rain then the odd shower and sunny spells. Winds brisk from the southwest in the west, perhaps strong at times.

For the South Island most rain / shower activity is about Southland although a few showers may affect other regions further north at times, some snow about Southland and Otago down to 400m, perhaps 300m at times.

A front brings heavy rain to the West Coast of the South Island on Thursday, reaching the western side of the North Island in the afternoon. This front may bring thunderstorms also. Generally dry for eastern regions although as a front passes over spots of rain will spread from the west. Winds strong from the west for much of the South Island and lower North Island. Snow to 500m about the mountainous parts of the South Island south of Buller, perhaps 400m at a push for parts of Fiordland / Southland. As the flow will be westerly snow will be coming in from the west so the further east one goes into the foothills of Canterbury for example it will become drier and snow levels will lift.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz