High pressure to the north of New Zealand and a front moving in from the south brings a gusty northwesterly airflow over the country today. This front moves onto the lower South Island early afternoon arriving at the lower North Island overnight. This front slows down and weakens on Thursday pushing over the North Island meanwhile more settled further south.

Fairly cloudy for the upper North Island today but some sun may break through from afternoon, more so the further east you go. The Bay Of Plenty is mostly sunny after any morning cloud breaks away. Cloudy areas with a shower or two possible for the lower western North Island (Taranaki through to Kapiti), some overnight rain. Mainly sunny for the east coast, overnight rain for Wairarapa. Rain for the West Coast of the South Island, becoming heavy from afternoon in the south then spreading northwards, clearing overnight. Mostly sunny for the east coast, a period of rain moves northwards during the afternoon and evening with a strong gusty southwest change.

Some rain or showers moving northwards over the North Island during Thursday, clearing about the lower North Island in the morning. More settled for the South Island, some cloud in the east. A shower or two during the day for Southland.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz