A strong southwesterly airflow eases later on Tuesday for the North Island, a northwesterly airflow gradually develops about the lower South Island with some heavy rain pushing into the southwestern corner.

For the upper North Island we see a few showers about, mainly morning then sunny spells for the rest of the day. Brisk to strong southwesterly winds ease in the evening.

Early heavy rain for the lower North Island eases to showers which clear by midday in the west then during the afternoon in the east. Showers may linger about Gisborne till evening however. Sunny spells increasing after areas of precipitation clear. Strong south to southwesterly winds ease later in the day.

Mostly sunny for the upper South Island with some high cloud at times, lower level cloud moves into North Westland from afternoon and there may be a late evening shower. Northeasterlies along the east coast while winds tend westerly in the west.

Rain for the Fiordland becoming heavy at times from afternoon, high cloud out east with a few spots of rain moving through mainly late afternoon / evening. Northwesterly breezes for most while winds tend northeast about coastal Otago.

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