A large anticyclone to the southwest directs a cold southerly airflow over the South Island today, this southerly airflow gradually pushes over the North Island. An anticyclone covers the South Island on Saturday, expect southeasterlies further north.

A mix of sun and cloud for the upper North Island today, chance of a shower or two otherwise mainly dry, winds from the south. Showers about Wairarapa, pushing northwards reaching Hawkes Bay in the evening. Some cloud for the lower western North Island, may be a shower in the afternoon as southeasterlies freshen. Showers for the eastern South Island may be heavy in the morning then gradually easing, risk of a shower out west then cloud breaking away by evening. Some snow about the Southern Alps to 500m.

Showers for the eastern North Island and Northland on Saturday, sunny spells elsewhere. The South Island is more settled however there could be a morning shower or two Banks Peninsula northwards in the east. A bit chilly to start for inland areas with the risk of a light frost.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz