A thundery Thursday throughout central Aotearoa New Zealand eases on Friday as MetService is forecasting showery and cool southwesterlies for much of the country over the next few days.

Conditions are set to ease for most on Sunday, capping off the weekend.

While temperatures are looking cooler than the last few weeks, there will be plenty of dry spells to take advantage of.

Some heavy rain and hail is also expected later today (Thursday) for the eastern North Island, while lighter showers are the main theme elsewhere.

These showers clear in the South Island with fine spells increasing across Te Waipounamu, as the day progresses.

“Thunderstorms and hail are possible today for many areas across the country, including Buller, Marlborough, Gisborne and from Wellington up to western Waikato,” said MetService meteorologist Dom Barry.

“Some strong wind gusts can also be expected in the Taranaki, western Waikato and Manawatū areas.”

On Friday, showers patter northwards through eastern Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne in the morning, possibly heavy and with hail, followed by clear, fine weather.

Another rain band approaches Fiordland and Southland, brushing up the east coast of the South Island that evening.

Weather in New Zealand for Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24. Photo supplied.

“Saturday has a rather showery look to it for the spine of the country, as well as for northern and western areas of both Islands.

“Mainly fine weather dominates elsewhere. Come Sunday, the eastern North Island gets some light rain – though accumulations are looking minimal. Meanwhile, another rain band lines up Fiordland and Southland,” Barry said.

“Temperatures are slightly cooler than average heading into the weekend due to this cooler southwesterly regime, some central Otago places will only reach 13°C.

“However, as we head into Sunday temperatures return to our normal late-teens and early twenties.

“It’s a fine day in Christchurch for their Christmas Show Parade on Sunday, while Auckland’s Santa Parade will see a mainly fine afternoon with a high around 20°C.

“Any morning showers that pass through should clear by the time the jolly red man makes an appearance,” said Barry.