An easterly quarter airflow lies over New Zealand today, a low pressure system deepens and its centre moves close to Northland during the day. This low remains over Northland on Tuesday, strong easterlies continue for the North Island, lighter winds further south.

Cloudy for most of the North Island today, areas of rain for the upper North Island becoming heavy about eastern Northland this morning then further south down through to Coromandel this evening. Expect strong easterly winds with a risk of gales about coastal areas. Cloudy areas for the eastern South Island today, there may be a light shower or drizzle patch about also. In the west expect sunny spells, isolated showers possible late afternoon / evening especially over the mountains of Fiordland and western Southland.

Rain or showers for most North Island regions again on Tuesday, heavy rain about Bay Of Plenty becomes heavy in the east by midday then easing along the east coast later in the evening. Overnight further heavy rain moves into East Cape. Cloudy for the South Islands east coast with patchy rain or showers, only the odd drizzle patch by the time you get to eastern Otago. Expect a mix of sun and cloud in the west, low risk of an isolated shower about Fiordland late afternoon / evening.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz