A low pressure system east of the South Island and an anticyclone in the Tasman Sea drags a cold southwesterly airflow over New Zealand today. Most places will expect a period of rain or showers at some point today although Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and parts of Northland could remain fairly dry.

Northland
Sunny spells with westerly winds, a change to southwesterlies in the afternoon brings the risk of a shower or two mainly out west.
Highs: 22-24

Auckland
Sunny spells and increasing cloud with westerly winds, a change to southwesterlies around midday brings a period of showers then easing.
High: 22

Bay Of Plenty
Sunny spells and increasing cloud with westerly winds, a few brief showers move through in the afternoon with a southwest change then sunny spells increase again.
High: 21

Central North Island and Waikato
Showers develop in the morning with northwesterly winds, easing early afternoon with a westerly change. Showers become few and far between with sunny spells breaking through.
Highs: 18-20

Eastern North Island
Mostly sunny with increasing northwesterly winds, a southwest change moves into Wairarapa around midday bringing showers potentially heavy. Southwesterlies move into Hawkes Bay mid afternoon then Gisborne late afternoon bringing some cloud with only the risk of a few brief showers.
Highs: 21-25

Taranaki
Morning showers then clearing by midday about northern Taranaki as westerlies change strong southwest, occasional showers continue along the south coast. In the evening a further period of more widespread showers move through.
High: 18

Manawatu and Wanganui
Morning rain then easing to showers by midday as northwesterlies change strong westerly, showers ease then potentially clear later in the evening with a southerly wind shift.
High: 17

Wellington
A few early showers clear then expect sunny spells with westerly winds. In the afternoon winds change brisk southerly with showers, some may be heavy with thunderstorms then clearing in the evening.
High: 17

Nelson
Chance of an early shower then expect mostly sunny weather with southwesterly winds, late afternoon and early evening a few further isolated showers may move through then clearing.
High: 18

Marlborough
Sunny spells at first with westerly winds, a change to southwesterlies in the afternoon brings showers possibly heavy with thunderstorms and hail then clearing in the evening.
High: 19

Canterbury
Cold with showers near the coast at first then becoming more widespread in the afternoon, showers may be occasionally heavy with a risk of thunderstorms and hail. Brisk southwesterly winds.
Highs: 13-15

West Coast
Showers clearing about South Westland this morning, north of about Greymouth expect a period of heavy showers this morning with a chance of hail then gradually easing and clearing in the evening.
Highs: 14-16

Coastal Otago
Chance of an early shower then expect sunny spells with westerly winds. Showers re-develop in the afternoon as winds change strong southwest, showers may be heavy at times with a risk of hail.
Highs: 12-13

Central Otago
Showers with a risk of hail will mainly be restricted to southern and eastern parts of the region (mainly in the afternoon), elsewhere looks to have sunny spells. Southwesterlies tending more southerly in the afternoon and becoming brisk. The odd snow flurry to 800m.
Highs: 12-14

Southland
Cold with showers, some occasionally heavy with hail and possible thunderstorms. Some snow down to 700m, a chance flurries may reach 600m at times.
High: 13

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz