Situation

A high pressure system continues to bring settled weather over most of the country today but it is starting to move away to the east with a northwesterly airflow beginning to form over the South Island. This northwest airflow strengthens on Thursday ahead of a front approaching from the southwest.

Rain

Another dry day for many today, the odd shower is possible for Auckland northwards thanks to an easterly quarter airflow moving around our departing high. South Westland sees rain gradually pick up, becoming heavy overnight for Fiordland.

Temperatures

The northwest influence will be felt today as temperatures from the far south and right up the east coast reach into the late teens, perhaps even early twenties. The winterless north likely hits the early 20 twenties. A tad warmer again tomorrow but this will be slapped down overnight and into Friday as a cold front makes its presence felt. Look out for a frosty start Saturday morning in the South Island.

Winds

No major stresses again today, northerlies will still be strong through Cook Strait and stronger again about coastal Fiordland. For mountainous parts of the South Island northerly quarter winds will start to ramp up. Strong to gale northerly winds will still be the main focus on Thursday for inland areas of the South Island in the east, overnight and into Friday morning expect gale northerlies for central New Zealand / the lower North Island. Southerlies get strong for coastal Canterbury Friday morning then in the afternoon for the lower North Island as a front moves through.

Upcoming potential severe weather

Heavy rain and strong winds are still on the cards this week, heavy rain hitting South Westland from Thursday then gradually moving north in the west. Friday now has the potential to deliver heavy rain for many North Island areas apart from Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, the main focus points will be Taranaki, Northland and perhaps western East Cape. For more details on upcoming potential severe weather please visit this page here.

Expect some snow for the Southern Alps on Friday, this will be mainly up in the ski fields.

Main story image: Satellite at 10:00am NZST Wednesday 7th May 2025, True colour satellite imagery courtesy of the Himawari satellite from Japan Meteorological Agency.