On Thursday we have a strong northwesterly airflow over the South Island, and a front within this flow moving north during the day.

Winds will change to the southwest behind the front – for the most part.
The North Island sits under a north to northwesterly airflow, while a high still sits out to the east of the North Island in the Pacific Ocean.
It’s shaping up to be a mostly cloudy day for the North Island in the west, but some sun is possible, especially in the afternoon.
Staying mainly sunny in the east (Gisborne to Wairarapa), with some high cloud which thickening later in the day.

There’s rain for the West Coast of the South Island – becoming heavy at times, especially afternoon and evening, as a front moves through.
It’s looking dry in the east, with thickening high cloud from morning, gusty north to northwesterly winds strong for inland areas in the afternoon.

Rain or showers from around midday about Southland and Otago as a southwest change moves through, mostly clearing by evening.

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