A sharp cold front extending from a polar low pressure area hits southern coastal areas today bringing heavy rain to the south western corner of the South Island then over the next few days up the entire western coastline of New Zealand.

In fact continuous rain, including ice at times, is expected around Fiordland over the next few days. Over 200mm of precipitation is forecast for the next 24 hours.

Once again this system brings strong northerlies to the South Island which will tilt NW and lead to warmer than normal temperatures this weekend. Some places may be up to 8 degrees warmer than average on Saturday or Sunday, mainly in the east of New Zealand where daytime highs may even break the 20 degrees mark.

After the rain, strong south to south west winds are expected to come on Monday, which will bring high waves and colder than usual temperatures in both islands. Waves around western Auckland may be several metres high as a result of the windy SW change arriving later on Monday.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz