A weak ridge of high pressure stretches out over New Zealand today, mainly settled however unstable conditions may develop for some North Island areas later this afternoon. An anticyclone covers New Zealand on Thursday bringing mainly settled weather, meanwhile a large low in the Tasman Sea flings a front over the lower South Island overnight.

Cloudy areas and occasional sun for the North Island today, showers for the western North Island this morning gradually ease. Isolated showers late afternoon / evening about Waikato, Bay Of Plenty (especially inland) and the ranges of Gisborne / Hawkes Bay. These showers may become heavy with thunderstorms then easing overnight. Mostly sunny for the upper South Island, some cloud the further south you go. A few showers along the West Coast, Southland and Otago ease during the day, mainly dry by evening.

Mostly sunny for the North Island on Thursday, there may be some cloud about. Perhaps a light morning shower for East Cape and Wellington then clearing. The South Island is mostly sunny however expect areas of morning cloud in the east then breaking away. Rain moves into Fiordland overnight with heavy falls.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz