A front passes over the North Island during Monday moving in a west to east fashion meanwhile a cold southerly airflow spreads northwards over the South Island during the day.

Dry at first for the upper North Island then late morning rain moves in as northwesterlies change blustery westerly, rain may be heavy Auckland southwards then easing to showers in the afternoon. Rain for the lower western North Island in the morning with heavy falls then easing by midday to showers, winds blustery from the west. Rain moves into Wairarapa in the morning then further north in the afternoon with a gusty westerly change, conditions clearing in behind for a time then showers move back into Wairarapa by evening and perhaps further north overnight with a southwest change.

Morning rain about Wellington may be heavy with strong northerlies, easing before midday as winds tend northwest then late afternoon or evening another bout of rain moves in with heavy falls possible as strong to gale southerlies develop.

South Island

Early rain clears South Westland on Monday morning then expect sunny spells with blustery southwest winds, heavy rain for North Westland eases to showers in the morning and mostly clearing late afternoon / evening. A few showers may linger about Buller till overnight then clearing. Early heavy rain about Nelson eases to showers then clearing in the afternoon to some sun. Morning rain or showers about Marlborough eases, in the afternoon showers picking up again (heavy at times) about eastern coastal Marlborough as southwesterly winds strengthen then clearing later on.

Rain about South Canterbury spreads into North Canterbury by midday bringing heavy falls, southwesterlies strengthen with gales likely about the coast. Rain eases to the odd shower by evening, clearing at night with cold temperatures developing overnight about inland areas. Some snow may reach as low as 500m, expect heavy snow above 900m. Rain about Southland and Otago easing to showers by afternoon, mostly clearing evening although remaining about some coastal areas especially coastal Southland. Snow flurries lower to 500m in the afternoon however by this stage they will be light, heavier snow higher up.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz