A northerly airflow increases over New Zealand today changing west to southwest overnight about the lower South Island. Winds rising to gale about many South Island regions overnight especially for inland areas, also for the lower North Island.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Mostly sunny, cloud increases from afternoon. Showers develop about Northland in the evening then spreading southwards later on / overnight (possibly heavy). Northerly winds pick up later in the day.
Highs: 18-21

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
A mix of sun and cloud, cloud thickens later in the day with rain overnight (heavy falls possible for Taranaki). North to northwesterly winds pick up later in the day.
Highs: 17-19

Eastern North Island
Sunny and warm, high cloud later in the day. Overnight scattered rain spreads from the west. Northerly winds may tend northeast in the afternoon near the coast for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.
Highs: 20-23

Wellington
Sunny spells, overnight rain. Gusty northwesterly winds rising to gale force overnight.
High: 16

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly sunny with increasing high cloud, rain moves into Nelson in the evening then around midnight for Marlborough. North to northwesterly become gusty in the afternoon.
Highs: 17-20

Canterbury
Mostly sunny to start then high cloud thickens, rain moves into the high country in the evening becoming heavy, scattered falls spreading to the coast towards midnight. North to northeasterly winds freshen. Overnight expect strong northwesterly winds, gale force at times especially about inland areas.
Highs: 16-19

West Coast
Cloudy with the odd shower, turning to rain about South Westland in the afternoon and becoming heavy, pushing further north in the evening. Thunderstorms and hail move into South Westland in the evening then northwards overnight.
Highs: 13-16

Southland & Otago
Sunny areas and thickening high cloud, rain later in the evening for Southland and Central Otago. North to northeasterly winds change strong westerly overnight, at that point a few scattered falls make it into coastal Otago.
Highs: 15-17

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz