On Thursday we have a front clearing the upper South Island by around midday, moving onto the lower North Island in the afternoon and pushing a little further north – then weakening later in the evening.

Ahead of this front we have a brisk to strong northwesterly airflow, then winds change southerly in behind.

Most of the North Island will stay cloudy, with the odd shower patchy shower – then rain moves in to the lower North Island in the afternoon (further north later in the evening).

The South Island sees rain clearing by midday, though it will remain fairly cloudy in places, with southerlies tending east to northeast in the afternoon for most.
Cloudy areas stick around about coastal areas further south, leaving the chance of a shower or two during the day in Southland.
Meanwhile, it’s looking mostly sunny about South Westland, while heavy rain clears by around midday for North Westland.
It should remain fairly cloudy afterwards, though some sun may break through in the afternoon.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz