Strong cold southwesterlies for the South Island spread over the North Island today. Strong southwesterlies continue over New Zealand on Wednesday, easing in the evening and overnight.

Rain or showers for much of the North Island today, snow to 500m about the Central North Island. Rain or showers clears the upper South Island this 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.

Cloudy areas and showers at times for the western North Island on Wednesday, drier out east however a few showers push into Wairarapa around midday then moving further north late afternoon or evening. Dry for a majority of the South Island however expect showers for Greymouth northwards in the west, showers for Southland and Otago for much of the day also (especially the southern half of Otago, longer dry spells further north). Expect snow flurries about the far south to 100m in the morning then lifting to 300 to 400m in the evening. A few flurries about the ranges of Buller to 500m during the day.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz