A fresh southwesterly airflow lies over the country today with a deep low to the east of the North Island. A ridge moves onto the South Island on Saturday, southerlies further north.

Showers and sunny spells for most of the North Island today, showers in the west may become heavy for a time this afternoon. Winds from the south or southwest, strong about the east coast and through Cook Strait. Showers for most of the day along the South Islands east coast, showers clear Southland and Central Otago around midday then sun breaks through. Mostly sunny along the West Coast.

Mostly sunny for the western North Island on Saturday, there may be a shower or two affect southern Taranaki through to Kapiti at times. Showers for much of the day along the east coast. The South Island is mostly sunny, some morning cloud Banks Peninsula breaks away, perhaps a morning shower for coastal Marlborough.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz