High pressure mostly covering New Zealand today but it is not overly strong, various fronts and troughs bring some wet weather and possibly thunderstorms.

Quite humid especially for the upper half of the country, says WeatherWatch.co.nz

North Island

Sun and some high cloud in the east (Gisborne to Wairarapa). Mostly cloudy in the west with occasional showers, dry spells increase in the afternoon, says a spokesperson for the weather organisation.

"Rain for much of the day north of Auckland, heavy rain about eastern and northern Northland. Isolated heavy showers with thunderstorms develop in the afternoon for the Central North Island, Manawatu and Wairarapa especially about hills and ranges then easing later on.

"Northeasterly winds for most, light afternoon winds in the southwest (Taranaki through to Kapiti)."

In Tauranga, it is looking mostly cloudy. A shower or two during the day, becoming more persistent this evening. Easterlies.

Image: WeatherWatch.co.nz

South Island

Partly cloudy for the upper South Island, showers or some rain for western Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman and down the West Coast to about Hokitika, says WeatherWatch.co.nz

"This afternoon showers develop about most of the upper South Island especially just inland away from coastal areas, some of these showers may become heavy with downpours and thunderstorms then clearing overnight.

"Southland and southern Fiordland have some cloud, the odd shower moves in then clears later. Otago has a mix of sun and cloud.

"From this evening a few showers push back into Fiordland from the north. Winds from the south in the south and east but eventually tending easterly later, coming in from the north elsewhere."