Expect showers for the western North Island today, becoming heavy with some thunder / hail in the afternoon then clearing evening. The eastern North Island sees showers push through Wairarapa in the morning then further north during the afternoon, once again a chance of heavy falls with thunder and hail as these showers move through on a southwest change.

Showers for Nelson / Marlborough, perhaps an isolated heavy fall with some hail about the ranges during the afternoon then clearing evening. Cloudy areas about Southland through to Canterbury with the odd shower, clearing evening. Early rain eases to showers on the West Coast north of about Greymouth, mostly clearing by evening.

The odd shower at times out west in a westerly quarter airflow on Friday for the North Island, any early showers Mahia Peninsula northwards clear in the morning in the east. Showers for the West Coast of the South Island, turning to rain about South Westland this morning.

Saturday is dry for eastern New Zealand, some rain or showers out west. Morning rain for Southland clears away.

For rainfall accumulation maps for 1, 2 and 3 days out please visit our new maps page: https://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/maps-radars/rain/accumulative-rainfall

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz