A warm northeasterly airflow lies over New Zealand today, a front in the Tasman Sea pushes onto the West Coast of the South Island during the day then onto the western North Island overnight.

Rain for the West Coast of the South Island, becoming heavy about South Westland this afternoon then further north this evening. The odd shower for the western North Island then rain moves in overnight. Mainly dry for eastern regions today.

Friday is quite unsettled for the North Island with morning rain for many then showers push in from the west for western regions in the afternoon bringing a chance of heavy falls / thunder.

Morning rain for Nelson and Marlborough may be heavy then clearing around midday. The odd shower for the West Coast, clearing in the evening. Showers develop about Southland late morning then moving into Otago during the afternoon, Canterbury later in the evening.

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