This anticyclone lies off to the east on Thursday, this combined with a low pressure system to the west directs a northerly airflow over New Zealand, a front pushes into western areas during the day.

Dry for eastern New Zealand on Thursday but expect plenty of high cloud. Cloudy in the west with rain or showers about South Westland and Northland, gradually pushing into other western regions by evening and possibly becoming heavy.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz