Northerlies strengthen on Friday ahead of a front which moves northwards over the South Island during the day.

Sunny areas and increasing high cloud from morning for the upper North Island, there may be some fog early on then breaking away. North to northeasterly winds freshen from afternoon.

Lower North Island in the west, a chance of fog to start the day for inland areas then expect sunny spells and some high cloud, thickening in the evening then a few spots of rain develop overnight. Taranaki may become a little cloudier from afternoon. Light northerly winds for most, winds freshen about Taranaki from afternoon.

Mostly sunny with some high cloud at times for the North Islands east coast, thickening later in the day. There may be some fog to start the day about inland areas. North to northeasterly winds. Becoming mostly cloudy in the morning for Wellington, overnight spots of rain. Breezy northerly winds.

High cloud thickens from morning about Marlborough, overnight spots of rain. Nelson is cloudy all day, some rain from evening. North to northwesterly winds freshen from afternoon. High cloud thickens from morning about Canterbury, chance spot of rain in the evening / overnight. Freshening north to northeasterly winds.

Cloudy with areas of rain or drizzle along the West Coast, becoming heavy in the morning south of about Hokitika then becoming heavy further north overnight. Gusty northeasterly winds.

Thick high cloud develops early morning about Southland with a few spots of rain possible towards midday, rain more likely in the afternoon then clearing evening for Southland. Spot of rain possible in the afternoon about Otago but looking more likely from evening. North to northeasterly winds.