Strong northwesterlies lies over New Zealand on Tuesday, a cold front pushes northwards over the South Island reaching the western North Island in the evening.

Sunny areas and some high cloud for the North Island on Tuesday, cloud a little more persistent during the day about Taranaki and Kapiti with the chance of a drizzle patch. Showers move onto the southwestern North Island in the evening.

Rain for the west and south of the South Island is heavy in areas, especially on the West Coast, rain pushes northwards into Canterbury during the day. Rain eases for the South Island overnight.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz