A west to southwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today, becoming unstable for the eastern South Island this afternoon. A ridge of high pressure lies over the country on Thursday extending out from an anticyclone in the Tasman Sea.

A few patchy showers for the western North Island today, clearing in the evening for most. Mainly dry in the east with some high cloud, late afternoon or evening southerlies may bring some lower level cloud and the risk of a shower. Showers for the West Coast of the South Island, clearing evening. The odd shower for the south and east of the South Island, showers may become heavy with hail / thunder this afternoon then easing evening. Unstable activity mainly Otago Peninsula northwards through into North Canterbury.

Mostly sunny for the upper / western North Island on Thursday, some morning mid level cloud for Northland then clearing. Some cloud for the east coast, a light shower or two possible for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. Cloudy areas for the West Coast of the South Island, light showers about Fiordland. Mostly sunny with some high cloud in the east. Cloudy areas about Southland, a spit or shower possible for coastal parts at times otherwise mainly dry.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz