Here’s what is making the weather headlines today.

COLD CHANGE MOVES NORTHWARDS

Cold southwesterlies are still forecast to push northwards over the South Island today, cold temperatures will follow and some snow can be expected in the ranges, perhaps getting as low as 400 or maybe even 300m in the south later today and 600 to 700m for the upper South Island overnight.

Thunderstorms with hail are possible for the West Coast then Canterbury this afternoon with a fresh southerly change developing. For more on today’s thunderstorm risk, visit this page here.

The western North Island has showers this morning then rain pushes in from the west this afternoon with a front, rain may not reach Auckland and Northland till this evening. The east coast remains mainly dry but south of Napier spits spread from the west this afternoon. Overnight southerlies move into Wellington and Wairarapa bringing showers.

FROSTY IN THE MORNING FOR WEDNESDAY

High pressure starts to push in overnight from the Tasman Sea bringing clearing skies, this leads to a frost risk. Frosts are more likely to occur for inland areas despite coastal parts of the South Island in the map below showing frost potential, winds / cloud and remaining showers should keep them at bay around the fringes.

The frost risk expands to the North Island more for Thursday morning.

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LOW MAY BRING HEAVY RAIN TO NORTHEASTERN NORTH ISLAND ON FRIDAY

A low pressure system forms to the northeast of the North Island overnight Thursday into Friday, some heavy rain is possible for East Cape and Coromandel.