On Thursday we have a northwesterly airflow lying over the country – bringing rain and showers to many in the South Island in particular.

A series of fronts slowly move over the South Island, before they merge into one, reaching the North Island’s west coast later in the evening.

Waikato and Bay Of Plenty northwards is looking at a mostly sunny day, while the East Coast is good too – with a touch of high cloud gradually moving up from the Wairarapa after midday.
Taranaki to Kapiti sees mostly cloudy skies, with the odd shower possible during the day.
This chance increases later in the evening.

For the South Island, areas of high cloud are around in the east, while spots of rain spread into Marlborough during the afternoon.
Nelson sees some rain from morning, though this clears by evening.
Rain on the West Coast will possibly fall heavily, with the chance of a thunderstorm easing by evening, as northwesterly winds change southwest.

Southland and Otago see high cloud with the odd spot of rain and showers mid to late afternoon, as winds change southwest.
Showers about coastal Otago could be heavy, and may even contain thunderstorms.

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