Quite unsettled for most of New Zealand on Monday with a low centre east of the country driving in a cold southerly airflow.

Showers for the upper North Island for most of the day, some may become heavy with thunderstorms and hail from afternoon then easing overnight as westerlies change to the south. Expect showers for the lower western North Island all day, perhaps a heavy shower with some hail at times also mainly about Taranaki. Wellington and Kapiti sees rain with heavy falls and strong to gale southerly winds.

The east coast of the North Island has a mainly sunny day, temperatures getting into the mid to late teens. Rain moves into Wairarapa by midday with strengthening southwesterly winds, rain pushes northwards during the afternoon and evening with heavy falls and a chance of hail. Snow lowers to 500m about the lower North Island in the evening.

Morning rain for the upper South Island with heavy falls possible about North Canterbury and Marlborough then easing to showers by midday. Showers clear for most overnight however there may still be a shower or two hanging about eastern coastal fringes. Expect snow about the ranges, sea level snow is not looking very likely with falls mainly staying above about 300m. Falls to 300m will only be light with heavier snow higher up. Winds in the east will be quite strong from the southwest with coastal gales likely, easing overnight.

The lower South Island in the south and east has a mostly cloudy day with cold southwesterlies, the odd shower about also but long dry periods too. The may be a few light snow flurries to about 300m in the morning then gradually lifting during the day, any accumulations will be minimal with most having fallen overnight tonight. The West Coast has a mainly sunny day with morning showers Greymouth northwards clearing, winds from the southeast.

Image: Monday 3rd September 2018 3:00pm MSLP / Rain map – weathermap.co.nz

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