A ridge weakens on Tuesday as a low moves closer to the western side of the country during the day, a front pushes in from the west overnight.

Mostly cloudy for the upper North Island, chance of a few showers from evening then overnight rain with a chance of heavy falls (heavy falls may be more towards dawn on Wednesday). Northeasterly winds freshen during the day.

About the lower North Island in the west, expect plenty of high cloud with brief areas of sun possibly breaking through at times, overnight rain with heavy areas about northern Taranaki. North to northeasterly winds.

Thickening high cloud along the east coast, light northerly winds. Mostly cloudy about Wellington with northerly winds.

Thick high cloud for Nelson and Marlborough with patchy rain or drizzle developing in the evening, light north to northwesterly winds. Sunny areas and increasing high cloud about Canterbury, light east to northeasterly winds.

Plenty of high cloud along the West Coast, some rain later in the evening or overnight. Northeasterly winds. About Otago and Southland, any morning spots of rain clear about Southland otherwise expect plenty of high cloud with light winds.