A large low from the Tasman Sea will today cross the North Island with a burst of wind and rain and some isolated thunderstorms in the north. It clears overnight and allows a windier west to south west change move in.

A cold front moves up the South Island on Thursday with western rain and snow higher up – this cold change sweeps over the North Island on Friday and winds strengthen further.

Saturday looks windy and colder in a number of areas while Sunday and Monday see conditions improving nationwide as high pressure returns.