A large anticyclone centred to the east of New Zealand today drags a northerly quarter airflow over the country. Two large highs sit either side of New Zealand on Wednesday, a series of fronts moving over the country in the middle bring rain especially for western regions.

Cloudy areas for the northeastern North Island today, expect a few showers at times with northeasterly winds. Drier to the south with a mix of sun and cloud. The West Coast of the South Island has rain or showers, possibly heavy about Fiordland. The Nelson region sees a few showers creep in by midday, sunny areas and some high cloud out east.

Areas of rain or showers for the western North Island on Wednesday, becoming heavy about the southwestern corner in the evening. High cloud out east with a few spots of evening rain possible. Heavy rain for the South Islands West Coast starts to ease from afternoon, drier out east however Canterbury sees morning scattered rain then clearing. Marlborough has rain spread at times from the west for much of the day. Coastal Otago is mainly dry, Southland and Central Otago may see some rain at times.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz