A ridge loses it’s grip over New Zealand on Tuesday as a frontal system moves in from the west, the front makes landfall for western parts of the country during the afternoon and evening.

Increasing cloud for the upper North Island during Tuesday, some rain later in the afternoon or evening then easing overnight. Northwesterly winds change westerly in the evening.

For the lower North Island in the west, cloud increases from late morning about Taranaki and in the evening elsewhere. Some rain moves in to Taranaki during the evening then elsewhere overnight. North to northwesterly winds.

Any early cloud clears to a mainly sunny along the east coast, some high cloud from evening then overnight spots of rain. Light northeasterly winds. Mostly cloudy about Wellington, brief rain in the evening then clearing overnight. Increasing north to northwesterly winds.

Morning sun for Nelson then cloud increases from afternoon, evening rain then clearing overnight. Mostly sunny about Marlborough with high cloud increasing from afternoon, overnight spots of rain. North to northwesterly winds. Sunny areas and increasing high cloud for Canterbury, in the evening a light southwest change brings the chance of a shower.

Mostly cloudy for the West Coast, rain about South Westland moves into North Westland during the afternoon. Rain clears in the evening as northeasterly winds change southeast. Scattered patchy rain develops during the morning about Southland, easing in the evening. Otago sees sunny areas and thickening high cloud, a few light showers in the evening. Light northerlies tend southerly in the evening.

Blue – Heavy form of precipitation or cold temperatures, typically below 1 to 2 degrees celsius.
Purple – Strong winds.
Yellow – Temperatures around the mid 20 degree mark or over.