A low pressure system centred west of the country brings unstable air to the North Island this afternoon meaning heavy showers and thunderstorms for some. The South Island sees cloud skies in the east with drizzle about Dunedin, patchy rain in Canterbury then slightly more persistent falls for Marlborough.

Auckland & Northland
Cloudy morning with showers. In the afternoon a few sunny spells break through but showers remain with the risk that a few may turn heavy with the chance of some thunder, then easing in the evening. Northerlies.
Highs: 22-24

Central North Island & Waikato
Showers and developing sunny spells by midday, light northerlies. Showers turn heavy with thunderstorms in the afternoon in isolated spots. Showers easing later in the evening.
Highs: 19-22

Bay Of Plenty
Drizzle patches turn to rain in the afternoon, north to northeasterly breezes.
Highs: 21-22

Eastern North Island
Cloudy with northeasterlies, rain about Wairarapa eases this morning and spreads elsewhere by midday. Heavy falls possible about the ranges in the afternoon.
Highs: 20-22

Western North Island
Periods of rain, heavy at times about Taranaki ease late afternoon to scattered falls as light northeasterlies tend southeast.
Highs: 19-21

Wellington
Morning rain eases becoming more patchy, some drizzle at times too. Light winds pick up from the southeast by midday.
High: 18

Marlborough & Nelson
Heavy rain first thing eases in the morning becoming patchy as light winds pick up from the east.
Highs: 18-19

Canterbury
Rain eases to drizzle patches around midday, southeasterlies tend more easterly after lunch. There may be a few heavy falls about inland North Canterbury before easing into the afternoon.
Highs: 15-16

West Coast
Rain north of Greymouth, clearing in the afternoon with sunny areas increasing as easterly winds develop. Further south expect sunny spells with east to northeast breezes.
Highs: 20-22

Coastal Otago
Mainly cloudy skies with a risk of some drizzle at times, breezy easterly winds.
Highs: 12-13

Central Otago
Cloudy periods and easterly breezes, mainly dry although there may be a brief period of morning rain.
High: 18

Southland
Cloudy periods and gradually increasing sunny spells after any early showers clear, east to southeast breezes.
High: 16

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz