A northwesterly airflow lies over the country today, rain or showers mainly in the west and drier out east. Some rain moves onto the North Island’s east coast this afternoon however as a front psuhes in from the west.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Sunny areas and increasing cloud for Northland, Auckland and Bay Of Plenty, rain develops late afternoon or evening becoming heavy for some. Strengthening north to northwesterly winds for all.

Highs: 18-21

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Showers turn to rain around midday, rain may become heavy especially for Taranaki with thunderstorms. Breezy to brisk northwesterly winds. Rain eases later in the evening then clears overnight. For the Central North Island conditions are similar as above however the timing may see rain arrive mid afternoon then becoming heavy.

Highs: 15-18

Eastern North Island

Sunny areas and thickening high cloud in the morning, northerly winds strengthen. Spells of rain from afternoon Napier southwards, rain moves further north overnight.

Highs: 20-21

Wellington

Spells of rain, heavy at times. Winds gusty from the northwest. Rain eases to showers then clears overnight.

High: 17

Marlborough & Nelson

Plenty of high cloud for Marlborough with breezy northwesterly winds, a few brief spots of rain at times spreading from the west (mainly afternoon). Nelson is mostly cloudy with spells of rain which clear in the evening, northwesterlies.

Highs: 16-18

Canterbury

Plenty of high cloud with north to northwesterly winds, some brief rain possible for a time around midday.

High: 17

West Coast

Periods of rain heavy at times with thunderstorms and hail possible, breezy northwesterly winds.

Highs: 14-15

Southland & Otago

High cloud thickens this morning, a few showers move through (rain for western Central Otago) late morning then clear mid afternoon as northerlies tend gusty northwest. Once showers or rain clears cloud breaks away. Coastal Otago mainly only see a few spots of rain.

Highs: 8-14

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz