A front pushes northwards over the upper South Island today reaching the lower North Island late afternoon. Northwesterlies ahead of the front and west to southwest winds in behind. This front clears the upper North Island around midday on Friday, a west to southwesterly airflow lies over most of the country. Another strengthening northwesterly airflow develops over the South Island on Saturday while a ridge gradually weakens over the North Island.

Thursday

Blue – Rain eases during the afternoon for the West Coast of the South Island.

Later in the evening or overnight there is a chance of a few heavy isolated showers over Banks Peninsula, maybe even some thunder. Only a chance though, nothing may happen!

Purple – Winds brisk to strong about eastern parts of New Zealand from Southland up through to Cook Strait from the west or northwest. Gales possible too mainly for inland areas and especially about coastal Southland and through Cook Strait.

Yellow – High’s in the mid to late 20’s for many parts of the country in the afternoon. Early 30’s for the eastern North Island.

Friday

Yellow – Temperatures reaching into the mid to late 20’s in the afternoon for parts of the eastern and upper North Island. Temperatures around 24 or 25 degrees in the afternoon for Marlborough.

Saturday

Blue – Heavy rain moves onto South Westland in the afternoon reaching North Westland in the evening.

Purple – Strong to gale northeasterly winds develop about coastal Fiordland in the afternoon. Strong northerlies through Cook Strait from afternoon, gusting to gale at times. Inland about the alpine region of the South Island north to northwesterly winds become gusty from afternoon.

Yellow – High’s in the mid to late 20’s for eastern and northern New Zealand in the afternoon.

– Please note, the idea behind this update is to focus on the main weather highlights, which is why not all regions are mentioned. 

For specific 10 day information for your city, town, rural community or island please see the 1500 forecasts on our homepage!

– Aaron Wilkinson, WeatherWatch.co.nz