Strong cold southwesterlies for the South Island spread over the North Island on Tuesday.

Rain or showers for much of the North Island on Tuesday, snow to 500m about the Central North Island.

Rain or showers clears the upper South Island in the morning then sun breaks through. Dry for much of the lower South Island however showers push into Fiordland, Southland and parts of Otago by midday with snow flurries to 400m.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz