A large high sits in the Tasman Sea today directing a cold southwestely airflow over New Zealand, a front within this flow moves over the North Island this morning. Skies are potentially unstable behind this front this afternoon.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Morning rain then easing to showers and long dry spells / sunny areas, showers may become heavy with hail / thunder in the afternoon about the Waikato and Bay Of Plenty then easing in the evening. Westerlies tend strong southwest by midday. Winds may gust to gale at times about the Auckland area then easing in the evening.
Highs: 15-17

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Rain, easing to showers around midday. Snow to 700m. Southerly winds freshen, becoming strong about the coast then easing in the evening.
Highs: 7-14

Eastern North Island
Rain about the Wairarapa spreading northwards during the morning then easing late afternoon to a few showers. Some snow to 700 or possibly 600m. Southwesterly winds strengthen with gales developing near the coast.
Highs: 13-16

Wellington
Morning rain, possibly heavy with snow to 600m then easing to showers and dry spells by midday. Brisk to strong southerly winds (gales through Cook Strait), easing in the evening then picking up again for a time overnight with further showers.
High: 12

Marlborough & Nelson
Morning rain with snow to 600m then clearing away with sun breaking through, winds fresh from the south or southwest then easing in the afternoon. The Nelson area may see isolated showers develop in the afternoon, perhaps the chance of an isolated heavy fall / some thunder and hail then clearing in the evening.
Highs: 12-16

Canterbury
Early showers clear for most however a few showers hanging about the coast till midday then clearing. Expect some sun. Isolated showers develop in the afternoon (mainly about inland areas) bringing the risk of an isolated heavy fall and some small hail, perhaps even the low risk of some thunder. Showers ease in the evening and spread to the coast. Fresh southwesterly winds, gusty at times especially in the morning then again in the evening near the coast.
Highs: 12-13

West Coast
Early showers clear then becoming mostly sunny in the morning, breezy southwesterly winds.
Highs: 14-16

Southland & Otago
Occasional showers, there may be the odd isolated heavy fall with some hail especially morning then gradually easing during the day and clearing evening. Some sun breaks through at times. Inland areas may be fairly dry with the risk of a shower greatest in the afternoon. Gusty west to southwesterly winds, strong about the Otago coast.
Highs: 13-15

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz