A cold southwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today, easing for eastern regions in the afternoon. A west to southwesterly airflow continues on Thursday with a front pushing onto the lower South Island overnight.

Showers for most of western New Zealand today, Buller could see the odd heavy fall and some small hail this morning then easing from afternoon. Any heavy morning showers with a risk of hail about coastal Canterbury clear.

Despite a few showers in the east for other eastern areas like the east coast of the North Island the majority of the day will be dry with some sun.

Showers for western New Zealand on Thursday although fairly dry north of Taranaki. Eastern regions look to have a great day with temperatures getting into the high teens or early twenties.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz