A low just west of New Zealand brings in cool southerlies and some rain for the South Island today, westerlies for the North Island with increasing cloud and a few showers moving into western regions gradually. Southerlies spread onto the North Island on Thursday potentially bringing in a thundery change, cool for the South Island but brightening up for South Westland.

Cloud increases across most of the North Island during today, showers from Taranaki through to Wellington then turning to rain this afternoon. Rain or showers not reaching parts of the upper North Island till later this evening or overnight. Dry along the east coast then some rain spreads into Wairarapa this afternoon, a few spots reach further north in the evening. Rain or showers for most of the South Island today although becoming mainly dry for Southland from afternoon.

Rain or showers for most of the North Island on Thursday, thunderstorms possible about the Waikato and Bay Of Plenty then easing from mid afternoon. Conditions gradually ease over the South Island although rain or showers may linger about the upper half through till evening, the odd heavy fall is even possible for the northwest Nelson area.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz