A northwesterly airflow slowly builds over the South Island during Thursday while a ridge of high pressure lies further north.

Cloudy periods for areas north of Auckland on Thursday, mostly sunny elsewhere for the North Island however expect some high cloud. There may also be a shower about the likes of Mahia Peninsula and coastal Gisborne.

Cloudy for the west of the South Island, the odd light shower about, late rain for Fiordland becoming heavy overnight. High cloud in the east, a few morning spots of rain for Southland and Otago then again overnight.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz