On Saturday we are going to see the first of the big changes that are about to hit New Zealand after a relatively calm and settled week for most of the country.

We have a northwesterly airflow controlling much of our weather to start the weekend, with a front moving onto western New Zealand around midday, bringing patchy showers or rain with it – more likely the further south you go.

Out in the east of both islands, conditions look mostly sunny with just high cloud around and about.

Southland and Otago will see showers in the afternoon – some possibly heavy – with isolated thunderstorms then clearing later in the evening.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Map: Google