Southwesterlies over the country on Friday ease later on as a ridge moves in from the Tasman Sea.

Showers for the western North Island again on Friday, mainly dry out east to start however southerlies bring the odd shower to the east coast from afternoon reaching Hawkes Bay / Gisborne by evening.

Morning showers clear the West Coast of the South Island then sunny areas increase. Cloudy areas about coastal Otago may bring a morning shower then drying out from afternoon, Central Otago is mostly sunny after some morning cloud. Canterbury see southerlies freshen in the morning bringing some cloud and the odd shower then drying out from afternoon although a shower or two may linger till evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz