A slack pressure gradient lies over New Zealand today, still fairly cloudy but some sun about in the afternoon for various regions. A large high to the southeast of the country and a low in the Tasman Sea directs a humid northeasterly airflow over New Zealand on Friday.

Occasional showers for the eastern North Island today. A mix of sun and cloud elsewhere however an isolated shower may crop up in the afternoon, especially just north of Auckland. Morning cloud for the east of the South Island then breaking to some sun in the afternoon, some drizzle possible in the east for inland areas this morning then becoming dry by midday. Mostly sunny along the West Coast after any morning cloud breaks. Isolated showers may develop about the main divide late afternoon / evening otherwise mainly dry. Showers developing this afternoon about Central Otago and Southland (especially in the west), also about Fiordland may become heavy with thunderstorms then easing later this evening.

Fairly dry for the western North Island on Friday morning then the odd shower moves in by midday, rain gets into northern Northland in the evening. In the afternoon showers becoming heavy with a chance of thunderstorms about Taranaki and perhaps across to the Central North Island. Morning showers along the east coast then some afternoon sun breaks through. Fairly cloudy for the east coast of the South Island, there may be a morning drizzle patch near the coast then drying up in the afternoon. Inland areas in the east start dry then there is the risk of a shower in the afternoon or evening, staying mainly dry though. An isolated shower or two may crop up about the main divide in the afternoon then easing in the evening. Showers about Southland, Central Otago (especially in the west) and Fiordland once again may become heavy with thunderstorms in the afternoon then easing later in the evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz