A strong northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today. A front clears the North Island early this morning, meanwhile another front moves onto the South Island this afternoon, then slowly moves northwards. The main features today will be heavy rain on the West Coast of the South Island and gale northwesterly winds in the east up through to Cook Strait.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Early showers clear then some sun breaks through in the afternoon. Westerly winds.

Highs: 20-22

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Early morning showers clear then cloud breaks to sunny areas, showers move in again overnight. Brisk west to northwesterly winds.

Highs: 18-20

Eastern North Island

Thick high cloud, clearing later in the day. Northwesterly winds.

Highs: 22-23

Wellington

Early showers clear then becoming mostly sunny, further showers later in the evening. Strong to gale northwesterly winds.

High: 18

Marlborough & Nelson

Becoming mainly sunny early in the morning, northwesterly winds strong from afternoon with gales at times about Marlborough. Rain moves through overnight.

Highs: 19-21

Canterbury

Mainly sunny, high cloud thickens late afternoon with rain moving into the high country. Rain becoming heavy in the high country during the evening with thunderstorms possible, a few spots of rain spread elsewhere later on, then clearing overnight. Strong to gale NW winds.

High: 21

West Coast

Cloudy with rain, becoming heavy in the afternoon with possible thunderstorms then easing overnight as strong northerly winds change westerly.

Highs: 15-17

Southland & Otago

Morning sunny areas then rain moves through in the afternoon as gusty northerly winds change to strong westerly.

Highs: 14-18

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz