A low pressure system moves onto Central New Zealand later on Thursday bringing unsettled weather for most regions.

A dry morning for the upper North Island on Thursday then showers spread from the north afternoon onwards, chance of an isolated heavy fall. Showers ease in the evening then overnight rain pushes in from the west. The odd shower for the lower western North Island, more so from afternoon then rain pushes in from the west overnight. Mainly dry in the east, a few spots of rain may spread into the Wairarapa at times.

Heavy rain for the western / upper South Island eases from afternoon. Rain eases in the afternoon for Canterbury northwards in the east, long dry spells develop then overnight rain picks up again. Cloudy areas for Otago, only the chance of a shower now and then. Mostly sunny for Southland, cold wintry SW winds push in overnight with showers and snow flurries to 300m.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz