Every part of New Zealand should see rain or showers today as our week-long low pressure system slowly churns by.  A number of fronts will spread across the country with a few spits even making it to the dry east coast regions such as Gisborne and Wairoa.  Rainfall amounts aren’t likely to be huge there though.

For two days in a row this week 30 towns and cities have recorded temperatures between 20 and 27 degrees which is unusual for so late in April.  Overnight lows in the top half of the North Island have been in the late teens, close to 20 in Tauranga, Auckland and Whangarei – again, unseasonable considering winter officially starts in 4 and a half weeks.

But the warmth is coming to end – starting in the South Island today a southerly change will see temperatures falling with single digit highs tomorrow.  Southland, coastal Otago and Canterbury will feel the cold later today or tomorrow then reaching Wellington and Hawkes Bay tomorrow – highs will be in the low double digits by the end of the week right along the southern and eastern coastlines as far north as Hawkes Bay.

Northern and western regions will also get the cooler change by Friday or Saturday however the drop won’t be so significant with the hills and ranges in eastern areas blocking the worst of it.

Check back throughout today as we monitor the rain and temperatures right across New Zealand – and thanks to those who sent in updates on conditions where they were yesterday.  You don’t need a flash weather station – even if you just pop your head out the window and tell us what’s happening we’re keen to hear from you… just post a comment below!