A front tracks over the North Island today with a strong westerly quarter airflow developing in its wake. A blustery west to southwest airflow lies over New Zealand on Thursday, within this flow a cold front moves onto the lower South Island around midday reaching the lower North Island overnight.

Areas of rain or showers for the whole western side of New Zealand today, morning high cloud for the eastern North Island then expect a mainly sunny afternoon. Mainly dry for the South Islands East Coast however a front developing in the morning brings some rain to Southland, then pushing into Otago in the afternoon however easing to only a few showers at that point. Winds will be quite strong from the west or southwest about the lower South Island during the day.

A shower or two for the western North Island on Thursday, especially morning. Sunnier conditions in the east. The West Coast of the South Island sees rain or showers, rain about Southland spreads into Otago in the afternoon then Canterbury late afternoon / evening. West to southwesterly winds for the South Island especially about coastal areas will be strong with a risk of gales.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz