Strong northerlies lie over the country on Tuesday with a front pushing into the lower South Island in the morning, reaching the western North Island in the evening.

Heavy rain spreads northwards along the West Coast of the South Island on Tuesday, reaching Northland in the evening.

Generally drier conditions in the east with some high cloud. A period of rain or showers working there way into Southland and Otago however.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz