A series of cold fronts push northwards over the country today, naturally bringing in some cold unsettled weather. Strong northwesterlies change to the southwest over the South Island this afternoon, reaching the North Island evening. Winds today are very strong for the South Island.

North Island

Sun for Northland and Auckland, some cloud further south in the west with the odd shower. Rain moves into the southwest this afternoon (Taranaki through to Wellington) then reaching the upper North Island this evening as a front moves through, spits of rain spread into the east coast. Winds gusty from the northwest then changing west to southwest in behind the front with rain eventually easing to showers. A strong south to southwesterly change with coastal gales reaches Wellington later this evening then moving up the east coast overnight with showers. Snow flurries to 600m overnight about the Central Plateau.

South Island

Rain with heavy falls along the West Coast, perhaps a few thunderstorms then easing to showers from later this morning as northwesterlies change to the southwest, showers clear from the south this evening. Nelson has rain start to spread in around midday, pushing across into Marlborough this afternoon as a front passes over, clearing up this evening then Marlborough may experience additional showers later this evening or overnight as southerlies freshen. Strong northwesterlies in the east today, rising to gale or severe gale around midday, morning high cloud breaks away to sun with rain in the high country easing. Gale to severe gale southwesterly winds develop about the far south around midday then spreading northwards reaching North Canterbury later this afternoon or evening, winds about the coast will be very strong. With the strong southerly quarter change expect rain for Southland and Otago, showers moving into Canterbury this afternoon with the change although parts of South Canterbury may remain dry. Rain or showers start to clear from the south overnight. Snow may get as low as 400m in the south and in the east before clearing, any accumulations of note will be higher up.

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