A northerly airflow lies over much of New Zealand today but in the east from Southland to Canterbury a cold southerly airflow moves in. This southerly airflow will likely bring heavy snow to low levels about the lower South Island today, expect heavy rain with torrential falls on the West Coast also.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

A mix of sun and increasing cloud with northwesterly winds, the Waikato may be mostly cloudy from morning with drizzle possible there in the evening.

Highs: 14-17

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Cloudy with breezy west to northwest winds. The odd drizzle patch possible, drizzle less likely about the Central North Island but there is still a chance.

Highs: 12-16

Eastern North Island

Sunny areas and some high cloud. Northwesterly winds, gusty at times in the afternoon for the Wairarapa.

Highs: 15-17

Wellington

Cloudy with gusty northwesterly winds, the odd shower then some evening rain.

Highs: 14-15

Marlborough & Nelson

Cloudy with gusty north to northwesterly winds. Spits of rain possible from midday.

Highs: 15-17

Canterbury

Thick high cloud with northerly winds (strong about North Canterbury), a southerly change moves in by midday bringing areas of rain. Expect snow down to 200m in South Canterbury by late afternoon, 500m in Mid Canterbury and 700m in North Canterbury then lifting slightly overnight for all areas, expect heavy areas of snow above these levels.

Highs: 12-14

West Coast

Rain with heavy falls (torrential at times) from Fiordland into South Westland then easing in the evening. Further north expect cloudy skies with patchy showers then rain from afternoon with heavy falls (torrential at times) moving in. Breezy northerly winds tending east to southeast in the afternoon for Fiordland. Upper air temperatures drop fairly drastically once you get just on the eastern side of the Fiordland Mountains so places like the Homer Tunnel will likely be affected by heavy snow.

Highs: 8-14

Southland & Otago

Rain pushing in this morning for most with snow to 600m lowering to around 200m for inland Otago and 100m elsewhere during the afternoon. Heavy snow to low levels for many especially inland. Rain may also be heavy at times below snow level. Southerly winds tend easterly late afternoon / evening.

Highs: 5-9

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz