A cool southwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today. A large anticyclone brings fairly settled weather to most of New Zealand on Friday, however an upper pool of cold air may induce some unstable activity about the eastern North Island in the afternoon.

Sunny spells and the odd shower for most North Island regions today, showers may become a bit more persistent in the afternoon / evening Waikato eastwards (especially about hills / ranges) then clearing later in the evening. Mainly dry for most of the South Island today, showers about Southland however pushing into Otago during the afternoon. Showers also about the mountains / hills of Buller, Nelson and Marlborough from afternoon then clearing at night.

Fairly settled weather for most of the North Island on Friday however from afternoon showers develop about the hills and ranges along the east coast, some of these showers may become heavy with thunderstorms and hail then clearing in the evening. Mostly cloudy for the western South Island, a patchy shower or two at times can be expected. Sunnier conditions out east, some cloud may develop about inland hills and ranges in the afternoon. A few isolated showers possible in the afternoon about hills and ranges of North Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz