Windier westerlies blow through some places today while others will be more sheltered with, sunny, warmer than average weather.

In fact much of the country will be above average today compared to historical daytime highs for this date. It’s a sign the early spring pattern is with us and we have more westerly quarter winds for the final week of August.

A large high north of NZ is working with lower pressure near Fiordland to fuel the westerly flow today and incoming rain to the West Coast.

NORTH ISLAND:
SW winds tilt more Westerly today and some may have nor’westers (around the lower North Island). Winds will be a little brisk in exposed areas. Sunny in the east and mild. A dry day for most places but might be a few late and light showers in south of Taranaki in the west.
Highs: 8 to 18

SOUTH ISLAND:
A trough, or small area of low pressure, is moving into Fiordland today with rain developing ahead of it. Rain becomes heavy in Fiordland and may spillover into some parts of Southland and south Westland. Rain spreads up the West Coast at night. Warmer than average in most regions, especially Canterbury.
Highs: 8 to 18

– WeatherWatch.co.nz