An anticyclone continues to cover New Zealand on Friday, watch once again for inland downpours / thunderstorms during the afternoons and evenings.

Sunny spells for the upper North Island, afternoon showers about southern Auckland, the Waikato and perhaps inland western Bay Of Plenty. These showers may become heavy with thunderstorms then clearing later in the day. The greatest risk is about the Waikato itself. Light northeasterly winds.

A mix of sun and cloud about the lower western North Island with light winds, afternoon sea breezes near the coast. Heavy showers developing for some inland areas after midday. A chance of thunderstorms also then clearing at night. Mostly sunny after any morning cloud breaks away along the east coast, cloud build ups may produce heavy showers and thunderstorms about the ranges of Wairarapa in the afternoon / evening. Light winds in the morning then sea breezes. Mostly sunny for Wellington with northerly breezes.

Mostly sunny about Nelson and Marlborough with afternoon north to northwesterly winds. Showers may develop for inland areas in the afternoon, some becoming heavy with thunderstorms then clearing at night. Mostly sunny with afternoon east to northeasterly breezes in Canterbury, inland about the foothills showers develop in the afternoon, possibly heavy with thunderstorms then clearing later in the evening.

Mostly sunny along the West Coast after any morning cloud breaks away, afternoon westerly winds. Fiordland sees some cloud and a shower or two in the afternoon. Mostly sunny about Southland and Otago with light winds after any morning cloud breaks away, afternoon sea breezes. Becoming hot for some inland areas. There may be heavy showers or downpours develop late afternoon / evening for inland areas, risk of a thunderstorm also then clearing later in the evening.