A westerly airflow tends northerly later today for the North Island while northerlies strengthen later on for the South Island. A front moves onto the lower South Island later this evening / overnight then pushing northwards over the country on Friday with a strong preceding northerly airflow. A westerly airflow on Saturday.

Thursday

Blue – Later this evening or overnight expect heavy rain to move into South Westland.

Purple – Northerly winds may rise to gale about many parts of the South Island overnight, also through Cook Strait.

Yellow – For the first time this spring temperatures are starting to approach the mid 20 degree mark about the eastern North Island. For the most part it probably won’t get there but 23 degrees is possible.

Friday

Blue – Heavy rain moves northwards along the West Coast of the South Island during the day, reaching the western North Island later in the evening then passing over from west to east overnight.

Purple – Strong to gale northerly winds ease for the South Island from late afternoon or evening. Northerlies becoming strong about the western North Island from late afternoon then overnight in the northeast.

Yellow – Another day where temperatures for the east of the North Island will climb towards the mid 20 degree mark, 23 looks more likely.

Saturday

Showers about the western North Island may be heavy at times in the afternoon, chance of an isolated heavy shower in the afternoon for the eastern South Island also. Showers ease in the evening. Winds gusty from the west about central New Zealand.

– 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