We’re not done with the Southern Ocean yet. A very large storm south of NZ next week will ensure a burst of windy westerlies, heavy West Coast rain and a sign that the energy south of NZ may continue on into early summer, despite the building La Nina conditions to NZ’s north.

This makes the weather pattern messier around New Zealand and while we do have high pressure coming in this weekend it’s going to be challenged next week by a sub-tropical low, a Tasman Sea low and a very large Southern Ocean low. Certainly busy weather maps.

Today (Friday) and this weekend is largely settled – but there will be some cloudy areas, isolated showers/downpours and isolated daytime/early evening thunderstorms possible. Large dry areas.

Next week there’s a brief cold change in the south of the South Island, then the week heats up as nor’westers build, potentially bringing temperatures into the upper 20s, even the lower 30s.

We have your 7 day forecast and 7 day rainfall outlook as a spring pattern continues.

*Programming Note: Not locked in yet, but it’s possible our Monday video may be published later on Monday afternoon.