A cold southwesterly airflow lies over the country today however it will finally ease overnight.

North Island

For Wellington (Wellington from afternoon), the Wairarapa and much of the western North Island expect cloudy areas and the odd shower at times, conditions finally ease overnight with long dry periods developing and breezy west to southwesterly winds backing off. A few snow flurries about higher parts of the Central Plateau / Desert Road during the day. Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and about the Bay Of Plenty (more so in the east) expect a most sunny day.

South Island

For North Westland, Buller and the inland Nelson ranges / lakes area expect showers with snow to 500m, gradually easing during the day and clearing at night. For South Westland becoming mostly sunny this morning. Nelson itself has a mainly sunny day, mostly sunny for Marlborough although some cloud may bring a shower or two in the afternoon for a time.

Canterbury has some cloud and a shower or two, there may be a brief snow flurry to 500m at times (only light). Rain sets in this evening about Banks Peninsula with snow down to 500m. Expect rain or showers about Southland and Otago for much of the day with snow down to 400m, conditions ease in the evening and flurries may even reach 300m for a time before clearing overnight.

Temperatures

Nothing to get too excited about temperature wise, the highest highs will be for Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Auckland and Northland perhaps getting into the mid teens. High single figures or low double figures elsewhere.

WeatherWatch.co.nz