A strengthening westerly quarter airflow lies over New Zealand on Thursday, a weakening front within this flow pushes off the upper South Island in the morning then onto the western North Island from afternoon.

A period of showers spreads northwards along the west coast of the North Island on Thursday, only a few showers reaching Auckland later in the evening. Dry in the east with a touch of high cloud.

Early showers clear the West Coast of the South Island then sun breaks through. Showers for much of the day about Fiordland, turning to rain later in the evening or overnight and moving northwards. A dry day for the east of the South Island with some high cloud. West to northwesterly winds strengthen over the South Island during the day.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz