A weakening ridge of high pressure lies over the South Island today, southerlies for the North Island. A front moves onto the lower South Island from afternoon. A southwesterly airflow lies over the country on Saturday.

Rain or showers for the eastern North Island today, sunny spells out west although showers move into Northland / northern Auckland at times. Showers ease about Marlborough clearing in the afternoon for the most part although a light shower may linger till evening. Rain moves into Fiordland by midday then pushes a little further north in the evening and overnight. Some rain moves into Southland during the afternoon then Otago in the evening with the passage of a front.

Showery conditions for most North Island regions on Saturday, the Bay Of Plenty escapes most of the wet weather. Showers for most upper South Island regions clear in the morning then some sun breaking through from afternoon. The odd shower lingers for much of the day about North Westland, rain moves into Fiordland later in the evening / overnight. Any early showers clear coastal Otago then some sun breaks through, morning cloud about Southland and Central Otago breaks to some sun. Overnight rain moves onto the lower South Island as a front pushes in from the southwest.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz