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Long weekend travel forecast
New Zealand

Long weekend travel forecast

We rate the travel conditions for road, air and sea for those heading away for the long weekend on either Friday afternoon/evening or Saturday morning. We also take a look at the weather in Australia and the tropics for the long weekend.

WeatherWatch:  Stormy weather returns before weekend
New Zealand

WeatherWatch: Stormy weather returns before weekend

Another surge of severe weather will spread across New Zealand over Wednesday and Thursday. We also take a look at the start of Labour Weekend - it's an unsettled forecast that sees a mix of wind, rain, showers but also sun this upcoming long weekend. And with end with a sunset photo from Auckland's Hillsborough Rd.

Weather: Storm to cross NZ
New Zealand

Weather: Storm to cross NZ

A short and sharp storm will this weekend cross central New Zealand bringing heavy rain, strong to gale force winds and even some heavy snow for higher altitude parts of Canterbury. Some regions will also have sun - all in all it's a typical spring system!

Short, sharp storm to hit NZ
New Zealand

Short, sharp storm to hit NZ

A potential weather bomb (when the air pressure falls more than 24hPa in 24 hours) is still expected to rapidly form in the Tasman Sea on Friday. While we expect the storm to peak out at sea, it will still be a rough Saturday for some areas - especially central New Zealand. By Sunday, however, it will be clearing already. Short and sharp.

Wintry weekend ahead
New Zealand

Wintry weekend ahead

A wintry shot of air is going to affect the South Island for the next few days, especially the Deep South while showers and blustery winds move in to some parts of the North. On Sunday conditions ease then Monday a new low in the Tasman moves in with rain and warm northerlies. We also take a quick look at the weather conditions for Bathurst on Sunday and we end with a spectacular sunset photo of One Tree Hill.

Warm weather for weekend
New Zealand

Warm weather for weekend

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters are predicting a warm weekend with highs above 20 degrees in some areas - with mostly warm weather for the start of daylight savings on Sunday. However make the most of it - a strong cool south west change arrives nationwide on Monday.

Watch: Electrical storm's lightning and 'golf ball' hailstones
New Zealand

Watch: Electrical storm's lightning and 'golf ball' hailstones

An electrical storm in Christchurch cut power and damaged buildings. Residents reported hailstones the size of golf balls and spectacular lightning strikes during the storm that started just before 6.30pm Tuesday evening. The Fire Service received about 20 callouts, most false alarms triggered by the weather or about damage to roofs and conservatories caused by hail, said a spokesman.

Heavy rain causes floods in Lyttelton
New Zealand

Heavy rain causes floods in Lyttelton

Dozens of Canterbury properties were flooded by heavy rain overnight. A Fire Service spokesman said there were 39 weather-related calls from the region between about 10pm and 2am, mostly for surface flooding. The incidents were mostly around Lyttelton and Sumner, already sodden after several periods of heavy rain in the past month.

WeatherWatch: Mostly fine outlook for all NZ
New Zealand

WeatherWatch: Mostly fine outlook for all NZ

A large, slow-moving ridge of high pressure over the Tasman will keep most of New Zealand's weather dry for a few more days. Things will begin to change on Thursday when the high moves to our north-east. The position, and shape of the high will set up a strong on-shore flow for the West Coast. This will likely bring rain to the West Coast by midday Thursday. Nelson could see some rain by late Thursday or early Friday.

WeatherWatch: Flash floods explained, dry skies ahead
New Zealand

WeatherWatch: Flash floods explained, dry skies ahead

Today over New Zealand again the top third of the nation will experience fairly mild conditions. Showers and dry, sunny, spells are expected in the north west flow. Rain and cloud will push into eastern areas too with some heavy falls. Through central New Zealand there will be a combination of wind, cloud and some rain or showers - but a repeat of Auckland's dramatic flooding yesterday is not expected in other main centres through central New Zealand. Southland and Otago will spend another day mostly in single digits after more severe frosts - but blue skies are also likely for most centres except in the east where some cloud is likely with a low risk of a shower for Dunedin.