A front pushes northwards over the upper South Island today reaching the lower North Island late afternoon. Northwesterlies ahead of the front and west to southwest winds in behind.

For the upper North Island, mainly dry. Overnight a few showers move into the Waikato.

Chance of a light shower or two for the lower North Island in the west. In the evening some rain moves in then clearing overnight. A few spots of rain move into the Wairarapa in the evening then further northwards overnight.

Rain for North Westland eases during the afternoon to showers as northwesterly winds change southwest. Further south early morning rain eases to showers, some of which may become heavy from midday onwards about Fiordland with thunderstorms and hail. A few spots of rain are possible about Canterbury this morning then Marlborough in the afternoon otherwise mainly dry out east.

Southland sees showers develop this morning, some may be heavy at times with a risk of thunderstorms and hail from afternoon. Otago sees the chance of a few showers developing this morning, more so about Central Otago. Coastal Otago may stay fairly dry for much of the day although the odd shower is possible.

WeatherWatch.co.nz

Image – Thursday 4pm, 12th January 2017 rain / MSLP map – weathermap.co.nz