A large anticyclone lies to the east of the North Island today while a northerly airflow increases over the country, a front moves onto the lower South Island late afternoon / evening. This front stalls over the lower South Island on Sunday, weakening during the day. Further north a ridge gains back some ground.

Sunny spells for the upper / western North Island on Saturday, morning fog possible for some areas. The odd light shower about Taranaki and Kapiti may spread elsewhere in the west during the afternoon. Sunny along the east coast. Mostly cloudy along the South Islands West Coast, heavy rain moves into Fiordland in the evening. High cloud increases along the east coast.

Areas of cloud and sun for most of the western North Island on Sunday, a few showers about Taranaki. Mainly sunny along the east coast. The odd shower for the western and southern South Island, heavy rain about Fiordland eases in the evening. Mostly sunny for Canterbury and Marlborough however expect plenty of high cloud.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz