NZ has a little further rain and afternoon downpours coming on Wednesday, then many places head into a warmer, drier phase.

There may be a few isolated afternoon thunderstorms around NZ on Wednesday afternoon ahead of a cooler change that will only last 24 hours. By Thursday and especially going into Friday warmer airflows move into both islands.

Between now and then it may be a little cooler at times, especially at night. The weekend is shaping up mostly dry and warm – but some West Coast rain continues and on Sunday more of the South Island may be exposed to some wetter weather.