A weak ridge of high pressure stretches out over New Zealand on Wednesday, mainly settled however unstable conditions may develop for some North Island areas during afternoon.

A mix of sun and cloud for the North Island on Wednesday, there may be a morning shower about East Cape / Gisborne / Taranaki and Kapiti then clearing away. Isolated showers late afternoon / evening about Waikato, Bay Of Plenty (especially inland) and the ranges of Gisborne / Hawkes Bay. These showers may become heavy with thunderstorms then easing overnight.

Mostly sunny for the upper South Island, some cloud the further south you go. A few showers along the West Coast, Southland and Otago ease during the day, mainly dry by evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz