A front combines with a low to bring potentially torrential rain to northeastern parts of the North Island on Thursday, conditions more tame further south.

Rain for much of the North Island on Thursday, clearing away from the southwest from afternoon. Rain could be torrential about some northeastern regions then easing during the afternoon / evening. Hawkes Bay and Gisborne sees heavy rain pick up from afternoon then easing overnight. Early heavy rain about the southwestern North Island then easing becoming mainly dry by afternoon.

Becoming mostly sunny in the morning about the West Coast of the South Island, showers about Southland and Otago gradually spread into Canterbury in the evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz