A ridge hangs onto the upper North Island on Tuesday while a northwesterly airflow builds over the rest of New Zealand. A front also affects the lower South Island.

For the upper North Island it is a mainly sunny day, just watch for a few late afternoon / evening isolated showers for a few areas (mainly inland where sea breezes converge). The thunderstorm risk while present is looking to be on the lower side this time round.

The lower North Island sees mostly sunny weather, some high cloud builds a little from afternoon. Winds generally from the northwest although afternoon northeasterlies are possible for Hawkes Bay. A hot day for some parts just inland in the east, temperatures getting into the late 20’s or even possibly early 30’s. Through Cook Strait gusty northwesterlies develop by midday, winds strong at times.

The West Coast of the South Island is cloudy with the odd light shower or drizzle patch about. Some rain about Fiordland at times becoming heavy there overnight. Mainly dry in the east with plenty of high cloud. While it will be a warm to hot day for the east coast of the South Island temperatures may be capped around the mid 20 degree mark although a tad higher isn’t out of the equation.

Some sun for Southland and Otago after morning high cloud clears, low risk of an isolated shower for eastern Southland / inland eastern Otago late afternoon or evening. Winds generally from the northwest although afternoon northeasterlies for coastal Otago in the afternoon.

Not all regions and towns have been mentioned above. For specific 10 day information for your city, town, rural community or island please see the 1500 forecasts on our homepage!

– Aaron Wilkinson, WeatherWatch.co.nz