A cold west to southwest airflow lies over the country today, most places can expect a period of showers for a time but expect dry spells too. An anticyclone in the Tasman Sea pushes towards New Zealand later in the day bringing easing winds overnight for most, this may mean cold temperatures also but frosts look to just keep at bay.

Auckland & Northland
Early showers clear then expect sunny spells with westerly breezes. Mid to late afternoon showers develop again as southwesterly winds freshen, showers may be heavy then easing in the evening with the odd one remaining overnight.
Highs: 17-20

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Any early showers clear then expect sunny spells with westerly breezes. Mid to late afternoon showers develop again possibly heavy then clearing in the evening.
Highs: 15-19

Eastern North Island
Mainly sunny with west to northwest breezes, a late afternoon southwest change brings showers which clear around midnight.
Highs: 19-20

Western North Island
Areas of cloud with a few sunny spells, brisk westerly winds. Showers develop late morning then ease late afternoon potentially clearing, the odd one may remain beyond then.
Highs: 14-15

Wellington
Sunny spells with southerly breezes, late afternoon and evening showers develop which could be heavy then clearing around midnight.
High: 15

Nelson
Mainly sunny with light winds tending southwest, in the afternoon a few isolated showers may develop then clearing in the evening.
Highs: 16-17

Marlborough
Sunny spells with light winds, in the afternoon showers develop possibly heavy with hail then clearing around midnight. Winds tend southerly in the afternoon also.
High: 16

Canterbury
Mostly cloudy with showers now and then, easing afternoon then clearing evening. Showers in the morning may be heavy with some small hail. The odd snow flurry to 700m also. Cold overnight Friday with frosts possible.
Highs: 12-13

West Coast
Morning showers with a chance of hail clearing, sunny spells in the aftenroon. There is the risk of the odd shower about from midday but for the most part it should be dry. Cold southwesterly breezes.
Highs: 13-14

Coastal Otago
Sunny spells with brisk westerly winds, mid afternoon a few further showers may pass through for a time then clearing in the evening as winds tend a little more southwest. There may be a snow flurry or two to 400m with any showers.
Highs: 12-13

Southland & Central Otago
Early showers clear then expect sunny spells and developing west to northwesterly winds. Around midday a brisk southwesterly change develops bringing showers which then clear at night. Showers could bring small hail and snow flurries to 400m about Southland.
Highs: 10-12

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz