A cold front and associated low moves off the upper South Island then onto the North Island during today, meanwhile a weak ridge moves over the South Island. A fresh southwesterly airflow lies over the country on Friday with a deep low to the east of the North Island.

Rain pushes into the western North Island late this morning, rain may be heavy for a time then easing evening. Dry in the east then some rain starts to push in from the west during the afternoon and evening. Rain about Nelson / Marlborough, heavy for a time then easing late afternoon, showers about Canterbury slowly ease with dry spells developing near the coast this afternoon. A few early morning showers about Southland and Otago then some sun, further showers possible later in the day.

Showers for the Waikato northwards on Friday, also Taranaki down through to Wellington in the west and along the east coast. Sunny areas elsewhere. Winds from the southwest strong about the east coast and through Cook Strait. Showers for most of the day along the South Islands east coast, showers clear Southland and Central Otago around midday then sun breaks through. Mostly sunny along the West Coast.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz