A front moves off the top of the South Island tomorrow morning then onto the lower North Island in the afternoon, as it moves further north later in the day it weakens. Meanwhile a strong westerly airflow lies over the South Island.

Mostly cloudy for the upper North Island on Thursday, a few showers possible about the Waikato from afternoon. Showers more likely later in the evening or overnight then clearing as northwesterly winds change southwest.

Cloudy for the lower North Island, rain moves in around midday with a heavy fall or two possible then clearing in the evening, breezy westerlies. Thick high cloud out east, a few spots of rain move into the Wairarapa in the afternoon then further north in the evening.

Morning rain or showers for Nelson / Marlborough clears, thick high cloud breaks away late afternoon. Gusty northwesterlies ease a tad from afternoon. Showers for the West Coast of the South Island, especially in South Westland with heavy falls, hail and possible thunderstorms.

Dry at first about Southland then showers from afternoon, some may be heavy with thunderstorms and hail. Otago mainly dry and sunny in the morning, a few showers from afternoon possibly heavy although Otago Peninsula northwards may stay fairly dry. Canterbury has a mainly dry day, high cloud breaks to a mostly sunny afternoon.

Northwesterlies for the east of the South Island are brisk to strong, gusting to gale in some spots mainly inland areas, coastal Southland and about Cook Strait.

Not all regions and towns have been mentioned above. For specific 10 day information for your city, town, rural community or island please see the 1500 forecasts on our homepage!

– Aaron Wilkinson, WeatherWatch.co.nz