An anticyclone lies over the South Island today meanwhile a front further north gradually weakens. This anticyclone lies to the east of New Zealand on Friday directing an easterly quarter airflow over the country.

Cloudy for the east coast of the North Island today, expect rain or showers especially about Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. Morning rain for the upper North Island, isolated showers from afternoon possibly heavy then easing later on. The South Island is mostly sunny however expect some cloud for Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson; breaking to some sun about coastal areas in the afternoon or perhaps towards evening.

Isolated showers for much of the North Island on Friday, showers may be heavy for the upper North Island in the afternoon then easing evening. The southwestern corner from southern Taranaki down through to Wellington has a mainly dry day. Mainly sunny for the South Island, there could be a few areas of morning cloud in the north and far south.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz