A weak ridge of high pressure sits over the South Island on Friday, while the North Island sits under a southerly airflow – meaning a much more settled picture around the country heading into the weekend…but not for long!

The South Island is fairly dry during the day, with most regions seeing some sun – though in Southland and Otago some cloud builds during the afternoon, with a patchy light shower or two possible later in the day.

For the North Island, it’s mostly showers in the east (from Gisborne to Wairarapa) and in the northeast too (Bay Of Plenty, Coromandel, Great Barrier Island, eastern Northland).
Morning showers do clear Northland through, with sunny areas after that.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz