A ridge weakens today as a low moves closer to the western side of the country during the day, a front pushes in from the west overnight. A northerly quarter airflow tends southerly about the lower South Island on Wednesday afternoon meanwhile a deep low is centred just to the west. This low moves over central New Zealand on Thursday allowing in a very cold southwest flow.

Tuesday

Blue – Rain for the western North Island becomes heavy overnight. Also for parts of the West Coast (South Island) also, not overly heavy by West Coast standards but heavy at times.

A bit cold about some very inner parts of the South and North Islands this morning, lows varying between -1 to 3 degrees celsius

Wednesday

Blue – Heavy rain about the upper North Island eases during the afternoon, perhaps not easing about western East Cape till evening however.

As a southerly airflow builds over the South Island later in the day some rain may become heavy about the Canterbury and Marlborough high country, also about Nelson / Tasman.

Thursday

Blue – Rain about the upper South Island eases around midday, rain about the lower North Island becoming heavy at times around midday then easing late afternoon.

Purple – South to southwesterly winds will be strong with a chance of gales about many coastal parts of New Zealand during the day.

White – During the afternoon a very cold southwest change moves onto the lower South Island then spreads northwards into Canterbury by evening then Marlborough for a brief time overnight. It must be noted that while cold and strong this change doesn’t hang around very long. Some snow to 400m about the lower South Island, 500m about Canterbury and 600m about Marlborough as this front moves through. Areas of snow flurries may vary + or – 100m.

– 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