A low pressure system just west of the South Island on Thursday slowly rotates a front onto the western side of the country during the afternoon and evening.

Sunny areas and thickening cloud for much of the North Island on Thursday, a few showers move in from the west in the evening then rain pushes in overnight. Mainly dry in the east, showers linger about East Cape for much of the day.

Rain for the West Coast of the South Island is heavy at times, easing in the evening. Thick high cloud in the east with a few spots of rain at times.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz