A large anticyclone is centered to the east of New Zealand today with an easterly quarter airflow moving around this high flowing over both Islands. A ridge hangs over the North Island on Saturday, expect a northerly airflow further south.

Mostly sunny for the upper / western North Island today, some cloud about Coromandel, Great Barrier Island and eastern Northland may bring a shower or two. Cloudy for the east coast with some drizzle or the odd shower. The South Island is mostly sunny, high cloud moves in from the west afternoon onwards.

Some cloud for east / northeastern parts of the North Island on Saturday, the odd shower about Gisborne and eastern Northland easing during the day. Mostly sunny conditions in the west. High cloud for most of the South Island but expect areas of sun at times in the east and north. The West Coast has thickening cloud, rain for Fiordland becomes heavy later in the day / overnight.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz