The antarctic door well and truly opens up to the south and east of the South Island today. Heavy rain with snow to low levels, possibly sea level at times especially later in the east. The North Island has a westerly airflow with showers, thunderstorms possible at times north of Taranaki. The east coast looks to remain mostly dry for now apart from a morning shower.

Northland, Auckland & Waikato
Showers, some heavy at times with a risk of hail. Could be a thunderstorm or two out there also. Strong gusty westerlies.
Highs: 14-16

Central North Island, Bay Of Plenty
Showers, some may be heavy with a risk of hail. Gust westerlies. Snow flurries about higher areas of the desert road at times.
Highs: 8-13

Eastern North Island
Sunny with some high cloud, chance of an early clearing shower mainly about Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay. West to northwest breezes.
High: 14-15

Western North Island
Cloudy periods with north to northwest breezes, the odd shower possibly heavy at times especially about northern Taranaki were there could be hail. Could be a sunny spell about too. Overnight southerlies stregthen with rain.
Highs: 12-14

Wellington
Cloudy with areas of rain and northerlies, southerlies strengthen from evening rising to gale overnight. Rain from evening becomes heavy also.
High: 11-12

Marlborough & Nelson
Light winds in the morning with scattered rain, rain becomes heavy mid to late afternoon mainly about Marlborough. Southerlies strengthen from evening rising to gale overnight especially about the Marlborough coast. Snow to 600m later in the evening.
Highs: 10-12

Canterbury
For South Canterbury expect heavy rain with heavy snow to 200m in the morning, snow may break through to sea level at times. Rain eases later in the afternoon with snow lowering sea level. Strong cold southerlies. About and north of Banks Peninsula expect heavy rain with heavy snow above 300m. Rain eases in the evening with snow lowering to near sea level.
Highs: 4-6

West Coast
Showers with gusty strong southeasterlies developing during the afternoon. Showers clear late afternoon.
Highs: 9-11

Coastal Otago
Cloudy with strong cold southerlies, wintry showers with snow flurries to near sea level. Precipitation easing off late morning then picking up again later in the evening. Snow more likely right to sea level from later in the evening or overnight.
High: 5-6

Central Otago
Snow with bitterly cold south to southeast winds, snow eases a little from late afternoon then moves back in at night.
Highs: 1-2

Southland
Wintry showers with snow flurries to near sea level, falling right to sea level at times. Bitterly cold southeasterly winds.
Highs: 4

WeatherWatch.co.nz