Rough weather over New Zealand will intensify this afternoon and tomorrow before finally showing signs of easing.

Winds will again pick up over central New Zealand and the North Island and snow is predicted to fall in Southland, Otago and possibly Banks Peninsula overnight tonight in the south and further north later on Tuesday.

Current conditions across New Zealand paint a contrasting picture from region to region.

In Auckland winds are again gusting to 100km/h on the Manukau Heads after easing somewhat overnight.  In the city gusts are reaching 70km/h.

Sunny, warm and fairly calm conditions remain in Napier.  It’s 17 degrees this hour with a breezy westerly.

However inland parts are seeing gusts to 70km/h.

Castlepoint in southern Wairarapa has gusts to 130km/h with 100km/h gusts on the exposed hills of Wellington.  In the Capital itself the winds are gusting to 80km/h,

The West coast has near gale force westerlies while Canterbury has a brisk but warm nor’wester.

Invercargill remains cold with just 5 degrees.

Homepage image: Jeanie Griffin