Unsettled weather on the way: Showers threaten Auckland’s busy sports weekend

An unsettled period of weather is on the way for most parts of the country. Photo / Windy.com

Auckland’s sports-packed weekend could be dampened by lingering showers, with forecasters saying unsettled conditions are coming to the region.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said a front was passing over Tāmaki Makaurau and would bring heavy showers late this morning.

Conditions look set to “brighten up” by the afternoon but the region will be dealt some chilly southwest winds, which would set the scene for the next couple of days, he said.

For sports fans, Friday night’s Super Rugby match at Eden Park could escape the worst of the weather.

Ferris said there was a chance of afternoon showers early tomorrow, but conditions looked to settle by the evening.

Wet weather is expected to return during the second half of Saturday, potentially affecting the One New Zealand Warriors’ clash with the Gold Coast Titans at Go Media Stadium.

Showers may linger into Sunday, when Auckland FC host the Central Coast Mariners at Mt Smart, though Ferris said it was too early to be confident about the timing.

Severe Weather Update🚨

🟠🚧🌨Road Snowfall Warnings have been issued for the lower South Island from Wednesday evening for:
- Milford Road (SH94)
- Crown Range Road

🟡💨Strong Wind Watches have been issued for coastal lower South Island for Thursday.

West to southwest winds… pic.twitter.com/VezR0GMCZY

— MetService NZ (@MetService) April 14, 2026

Wellington is expected to remain largely sunny today, reaching a high of 17C, but there will be a “noticeable northerly breeze”.

Rain is also forecast to arrive overnight and carry into Saturday and possibly Sunday, Ferris said.

Christchurch is forecast to reach a high of 19C today with the odd early morning shower and possible heavy showers about the Banks Peninsula this afternoon.

A front moving up from the southwest will bring strong winds from the afternoon.

A little rain may arrive on Friday as another system moves up the West Coast, but Ferris said totals are expected to be light and Christchurch could see the best weather of the main centres this weekend.

⚠️ Strong winds will affect the lower South Island overnight through early Thursday afternoon.

🍃 Gusts approaching or even exceeding 100 km/h will impact places such as Dunedin, Invercargill, and Stewart Island.

👍 However, winds will ease as Thursday afternoon progresses. pic.twitter.com/lmznuiLtre

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 15, 2026

Further south, strong winds and wintry conditions are expected to sweep across parts of the lower South Island today.

MetService has issued a strong wind watch for coastal Southland, Stewart Island and coastal Otago south of Oamaru until 2pm, with gale-force west to southwest winds forecast to spread northwards before easing later in the day.

Ferris said the gusty conditions could bring bursts of heavy showers along the coast.

“There is going to be quite strong winds overnight... and from mid-morning into the afternoon it could be quite gusty around that coast,” he said.

“It could also bring with it some heavy showers, potentially even some hail, because we’ve seen some cooler air coming in.”

The blustery conditions are expected to ease into Friday, with winds turning more northwesterly and only scattered rain expected.

Looking to the weekend, Ferris said the lower South Island may avoid the worst of the unsettled weather affecting the north.

“There’s not too much around on Saturday – just some lingering bits of wet weather that might not come to anything,” he said.

“Sunday is a little bit less certain, with the possibility of winds coming onshore.”