A ridge hangs over most of New Zealand today while a low deepens in the Tasman Sea. This low continues to sit west of the country on Wednesday directing a northeasterly airflow over both Islands.

A few patchy showers or some drizzle hangs about the North Island Auckland southwards in the west today, along the east coast any morning showers clear then some afternoon sun breaks through, a few showers moving back into the Wairarapa and perhaps Hawkes Bay in the evening.

Mainly sunny for the lower South Island after any morning cloud breaks away, expect plenty of high cloud however. A little cloudier for the upper South Island especially about Nelson and Marlborough where some patchy rain moves in late afternoon or evening.

Areas of rain or showers for most of the South Island on Wednesday, heavy along the West Coast mainly in the morning. Dry for Southland with some high cloud. Conditions over the North Island are looking drier with only a shower or two about, mainly in the morning.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz