A southwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand on Thursday, this tends more west to northwest on Friday.

Some cloud and the risk of a shower Auckland northwards today, mostly sunny for the rest of the North Island however some cloud about Taranaki may spread into other southwestern parts of the North Island from afternoon. Mostly cloudy for the West Coast of the South Island, a light shower or two for Fiordland. Mostly sunny along the east coast, perhaps some high cloud, some mid level cloud for coastal Otago. Southland has cloudy periods and the odd shower.

Cloudy areas and the odd shower for the western North Island on Friday, drier and sunnier out east. Rain for the West Coast of the South Island, possibly heavy from afternoon, likely to be heavy overnight. Drier out east with some high cloud and warm temperatures, showers spread into Southland in the afternoon then Otago in the evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz