Mostly cloudy over the North Island today although there may be sunny breaks in Northland. Showers at times in places with long dry spells also, some northern and central areas may remain dry for most of the day. About Auckland through to northern Waikato expect a heavier area of showers during the day easing in Auckland at night, rain moving into most parts of Waikato by midday then there is a focus from evening with heavy falls possible. Later in the night or towards dawn on Friday those heavy falls move into the Central North Island.

Rain for most of the east coast with a few heavy falls in the mix. Showers about the Bay of Plenty becoming heavier in the west by midday then some heavier showers spreading a little further east in the region at night. Winds will be breezy from the east or northeast over the whole island however tending more northwesterly in Northland.

Mid teen temperatures about coastal areas north of Taranaki and the Bay of Plenty, getting up to 17 in some parts of Northland. 13 degree high’s can be expected about the east coast, Central North Island and Wellington.

Mostly cloudy along the east coast of the South Island with easterly breezes, a few drizzle patches at times however long dry periods also with some coastal areas in Canterbury and Otago remaining largely dry for much of the day. Rain about the ranges in Tasman, Marlborough, Kaikoura and North Canterbury, risk of some drizzle in Nelson however remaining dry for long periods. The odd slightly heavier shower amongst the drizzle about the foothills in Mid and South Canterbury at times during the day.

In Southland and Central Otago skies will be mostly sunny with a little cloud at times and northeast breezes. Sunny also for most of the West Coast with east to southeasterly breezes possibly gusty at times, some cloud in the north about Buller, mild afternoon temperatures. 11 to 12 degree high’s for most today however on the West Coast as mentioned it will be mild reaching 15 to 16 in the afternoon.

WeatherWatch.co.nz