A strong northwesterly airflow lies over most of New Zealand although on the ground winds may not necessarily be strong for some. A front within this flow is feeding into the upper South Island and gradually affecting parts of the lower North Island in the west.

Some cold air is arriving about southern parts of New Zealand and there has even been a few lightning strikes about the Clutha District.

The most rain is falling on the West Coast of the South Island north of about Greymouth, rain is also affecting Taranaki down through to Kapiti / Wellington in the west of the North Island.

Ashburton and Christchurch are seeing strong northwesterly winds this afternoon, averaging between 40 to 50 km/h even gusting to gale at times.

The warmest centre is Kaikoura on 22 degrees as at 2.40pm.

The main centres current conditions are as follows:

Auckland: 19 degrees, mostly cloudy with northerlies.

Hamilton: 17 degrees, mostly cloudy with the odd brief light shower about. Light WNW winds.

Tauranga: 17 degrees, mostly cloudy with the odd brief light shower. Light northerly winds.

Wellington: 14 degrees, cloudy with some rain and breezy northwesterly winds.

Christchurch: 21 degrees, plenty of high cloud about with gusty northwesterlies.

Dunedin: 14 degrees, areas of cloud with light ENE winds. It must be noted the airport is on 18 degrees.

WeatherWatch.co.nz

Image: St Clair Beach, Dunedin City Council