A trough in the Southern Ocean is producing unstable weather around New Zealand, with the west coast most affected by wet weather and driest in the east.

North Island:
Early drizzle patches clear in the upper North Island but showers and drizzly light rain around Taranaki to Manawatu will drift into Waikato/Central Plateau during the day. Dry elsewhere but may still be fairly cloudy. Winds from the westerly quarter. A warm day from Wakato northwards especially, with sunny spells developing.
Highs: 17 to 25

South Island:
Rain continues on the West Coast with heavy falls spreading north. Watch for possible slips. Some spits and patchy rain spilling over into Southland, Otago and a few parts of Canterbury, otherwise dry in the east and north. Westerly quarter winds. A cooler day.
Highs: 11 to 22

– WeatherWatch.co.nz