On Friday we have a strong northwesterly airflow over New Zealand, with a ridge over the upper North Island and a front moving onto the lower South Island in the morning.

For the North Island we have mainly sunny weather for the most part, but we see areas of cloud a little more persistent at times (especially morning) about the likes of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay Of Plenty.
Northwest winds about Wellington will be strong with gales possible at times from afternoon, cloud areas about Wellington also.
A warm day along the East Coast, with highs around the 30 degree mark.

For the South Island expect cloudy skies in the west with showers, rain about Fiordland spreads northwards during the day.
Nelson and Marlborough are mainly dry during the day, with northwesterlies, and high cloud thickening from morning onwards.
Canterbury sees a mostly sunny morning with increasing high cloud, though a south to southwest change moves through in the afternoon, bringing increasing cloud with showers – then rain later in the day.

Otago and Southland see morning rain, easing to showers and clearing by around midday, while coastal Otago may see a few stragglers hanging around through the afternoon.
Sunny areas break through after areas of rain or showers clear with Sou’West winds easing later in the day.

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