This week will feel like summer in the North Island but may feel more like Spring/Autumn in the South Island as two storms in the Southern Ocean churn by disrupting New Zealand’s weather pattern.

At times strong winds will surge in with two significant cold changes this week – today and again on Thursday in the lower South island, where highs will struggle to climb above the low teens. In between those two days it will be mild but cloudy with some shower or rain activity. This same windy west to south west set up will also help boost temperatures in the east to north east of both islands with 30 degrees possible in some areas this week (especially Wednesday) and again this weekend.

Rain will be heavy on the West Coast with over 100mm possible – watch for potential rain warnings. Rain will spillover into Southland and Otago but will only send a little bit into the North Island on Thursday.

With another storm in the Southern Ocean this weekend expect more big variety in weather from one end of the country to the other, with windiest, wettest and coolest weather most likely the further south you go and hotter, drier, calmer weather the further north east you are.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz