A ridge lies over New Zealand today with high pressure centred to the north and south of the country. A westerly quarter airflow lies over New Zealand on Thursday, a front passes off to the east of the South Island during the morning and another moves northwards over the North Island during the day.

A mainly dry morning for the North Island today, perhaps some fog to start the day then an isolated shower or two may crop up in the afternoon (mainly in the west). Shower activity for the South Island mostly clears in the morning then some sun breaks through, just Fiordland is mainly dry then sees showers later in the day.

A mainly dry morning for the upper North Island then a few showers move in during the afternoon, showers and sunny spells for the lower North Island in the west clear by evening. A mainly sunny day along the east coast. Morning rain for the West Coast of the South Island eases to showers, morning spots of rain in the east clear then becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz