A front pushes northwards over the South Island during today, reaching the western North Island this evening. Winds ahead of this front are strong from the north then changing westerly in behind.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Mostly sunny then cloud increases from afternoon, chance of a shower from evening then rain moves through overnight. Northerly winds.
Highs: 15-18

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Sunny areas and increasing cloud, the odd shower about Taranaki from midday then rain develops for most places in the evening. Some heavy rain possible about Taranaki in the evening then easing overnight for all. Increasing northwesterly winds.
Highs: 12-15

Eastern North Island
Mostly sunny with some high cloud from afternoon, a few spots of rain may spread into the Wairarapa from evening then further north overnight. Light winds at first then northwesterlies increase from afternoon.
Highs: 15-17

Wellington
The odd spit then some evening rain. Strengthening northerly winds may rise to gale at times from afternoon then easing in the evening.
High: 14

Marlborough & Nelson
Sunny areas and increasing high cloud, northwesterly winds strengthen rising to gale at times from afternoon. Rain spreads into Nelson by midday then Marlborough in the evening. Rain clearing at night with winds easing.
High: 14-16

Canterbury
High cloud with increasing north to northeasterly winds, becoming strong to gale for a time about inland areas. A few spots of rain late afternoon then winds tend gusty northwesterly.
Highs: 14-16

West Coast
Rain with heavy falls, easing to showers and thunderstorms with hail during the afternoon as strong northerlies change westerly.
Highs: 12-14

Southland & Otago
High cloud, rain about the Central Lakes area spreading from the west. Rain develops around midday elsewhere as northerlies change strong westerly, rain mostly clearing by evening. Parts of North Otago may have a mainly dry day, just a few spits possible in the afternoon.
Highs: 11-15

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz