A strong northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today, gales likely about the inner South Island and through Cook Strait.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Cloudy, may be a spit in the afternoon, the Waikato and Bay Of Plenty has a greater chance of afternoon rain then easing in the evening. Overnight some further rain moves through for all. Northwesterly winds.
Highs: 17-21

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Morning rain then easing becoming patchy in the afternoon. Overnight some further rain moves through. Northwesterly winds freshen.
Highs: 14-18

Eastern North Island
Plenty of high cloud, a few spots of rain move through around midday. Northwesterly winds, breezy from afternoon.
Highs: 18-22

Wellington
Areas of rain with strong to gale northwesterly winds.
High: 16

Marlborough & Nelson
Plenty of high cloud, morning spots of rain then clearing. Northwesterly winds become strong from afternoon possibly gusting to gale at times especially inland Marlborough and about the outer Sounds.
Highs: 18-22

Canterbury
Morning spots of rain then some sun may break through from afternoon, further spots later in the evening / overnight. Expect rain about the high country, becoming heavy in the afternoon then easing evening. North to northwesterly winds strengthen, gales possible from afternoon about inland areas.
Highs: 24-26

West Coast
Rain, becoming heavy in the afternoon, perhaps torrential for a time then easing later in the evening. Strengthening north to northwestely winds then changing westerly around midnight.
Highs: 14-16

Southland & Otago
Possibly dry at first for Southland then rain moves in late morning, rain eases late afternoon as northerlies tend gusty west to northwest. Otago has high cloud with any early spots of morning rain clearing, rain moves in again late afternoon or evening then clearing overnight. Northwesterly winds strengthen.
Highs: 18-23

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz