A northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today with a few showers or some rain in the west, mainly dry in the east. A low pressure system just west of the South Island on Thursday slowly rotates a front onto the western side of the country during the afternoon and evening.

Occasional showers for the upper North Island, clearing in the evening. For the lower western North Island expect some cloud with the odd shower at times during the day. Mainly dry on the east coast although there may be a few spots of rain spread into Gisborne at times. Rain or showers for the West Coast of the South Island, mainly sunny in the east.

Sunny areas and thickening cloud for much of the North Island on Thursday, a few showers move in from the west in the evening then rain pushes in overnight. Mainly dry in the east, showers linger about East Cape for much of the day. Rain for the West Coast of the South Island is heavy at times, easing in the evening. Thick high cloud in the east with a few spots of rain at times.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz