The North Island is enjoying a settled break in the days ahead although a few showers this weekend will still affect the eastern North Island (Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne etc).

Severe Cat 3 Tropical Cyclone JUDY remains over Vanuatu, making a direct hit to the capital Port Vila on Wednesday – it is expected to become Cat 4 today.

The storm is expected to remain offshore from NZ when it passes by early next week.

We take a look at the Southern Ocean too, with a storm down there sending up Autumn westerlies and a cooler change again for Tasmania and the lower South Island.