A low slowly moves eastwards over the North Island today letting in a south to southwest airflow, a ridge further south brings more settled conditions. A southwesterly airflow lies over the country on Thursday, easing over the South Island then a warm front moves in from the Tasman Sea hitting the West Coast by evening.

Showers for most of the western North Island today, some sun at times also. Winds from the southwest becoming strong in the afternoon for western areas especially Auckland. Rain for the east coast with heavy falls then easing in the evening. Showers for the northeastern South Island ease this morning then dry areas increasing from afternoon. A mix of sun and cloud for most other regions, a few isolated showers possible about Southland and Central Otago late afternoon / evening.

Sunny spells for the western North Island on Thursday, the odd shower also especially in the afternoon. Mainly sunny and dry weather in the east. The odd light shower develops for the South Islands West Coast by midday then turning to rain by evening. High cloud in the east, the odd shower about Southland spreads into parts of Otago during the afternoon. Some scattered rain by evening from Mid Canterbury down through to Otago, perhaps Southland also.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz