The high is slowly moving off the South Island today with cloud increasing behind it.  Most places from Christchurch southwards have a cloudy morning due to a low out in the Tasman Sea that is pushing cloud up against the departing high.

From the upper South Island northwards skies remain clear however from about Wairoa, in Hawkes Bay, northwards clouds are still brushing the coastline.  WeatherWatch.co.nz expects conditions to steadily improve in the north-east today.

Heavy rain is predicted to spread up the West Coast by the end of the week, signaling a wet or unsettled weekend is on the way.

It’s mild over the upper North Island this hour with many centres around 13 to 15 degrees.  The lower half of the North Island is cooler between 9 and 12 degrees.   Much of the South Island is around the 10 or 11 degree mark with 6 to 8 degrees through Central Otago.