A low pressure system lies to the west of the country today in the Tasman Sea, surrounding this low is a huge area of high pressure. Isolated heavy downpours / thunderstorms may form about some inland parts of both Islands during the afternoon. A similar pattern on Friday although the low will weaken.

A dry morning for most of the North Island on Thursday then isolated showers possible late afternoon / evening. Showers becoming heavy in the afternoon (more so from Waikato southwards about inland areas) bringing a chance of thunder then easing later in the evening. Mostly cloudy for the eastern South Island with patchy rain or drizzle then increasing dry spells from afternoon, the West Coast has cloudy areas and the odd shower. Showers becoming heavy in the afternoon about Buller and Fiordland with a chance of thunder then easing later in the evening. Southland and Central Otago see a mix of sun and cloud.

A fairly dry morning for a majority of New Zealand on Friday, there may be a shower or two about Nelson / Marlborough, Wairarapa and Taranaki. Then in the afternoon showers developing about many inland areas, some becoming heavy with thunderstorms then easing later in the evening. Light winds for most then afternoon sea breezes.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz