A cold southwesterly airflow lies over the country today, conditions will clear for the South Island from the south. Expect snow for the upper South Island in the ranges. The North Island’s weather is unsettled today.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Occasional showers, chance of a heavy fall and thunderstorm around midday as northwesterlies change westerly. Another burst of heavy showers with a chance of thunderstorms and hail in the evening as winds change southwest.
Highs: 12 – 14

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Showers, the odd isolated heavy fall with small hail. Rain south of Palmerston North spreads northwards along the coast around midday as southeasterlies freshen. Rain or showers ease later in the evening. Snow to 800m lowering to 600m in the evening about the Central Plateau.
Highs: 6 – 12

Eastern North Island
Rain for Wairarapa with heavy falls, spreading northwards late afternoon or evening as southwesterlies freshen. Snow falls to 500m in the south, 800m in the north later in the day.
Highs: 8 – 14

Wellington
Rain from early morning, the odd heavy fall with small hail possible, easing to the odd spit in the evening. Snow may lower to about 500m in the afternoon. Cold southerlies.
Highs: 6 – 8

Marlborough & Nelson
Heavy showers or rain, small hail possible, snow to 400m, heavy above 600m, clearing late afternoon, perhaps not till evening for Nelson. Cloud breaks later in the day with southerlies dying out.
Highs: 8 – 10

Canterbury
Morning showers, heavy with small hail and snow to 200m clearing, about northern North Canterbury expect heavier rain with snow to 200m (heavy above 400m), clearing in the afternoon. Sun increases once precipitation clears. Cold southwesterlies.
Highs: 7 – 9

West Coast
Sunny for South Westland, showers further north clear in the morning, perhaps not clearing Buller till late afternoon or evening. Snow may fall to 500 or 400m. South to southeasterly winds.
Highs: 9 – 11

Southland & Otago
Morning showers and light snow flurries to 200m clear then expect a mix of sun and cloud, Central Otago becomes mostly sunny in the afternoon. Coastal Otago may see the odd shower linger till evening. West to southwest winds.
Highs: 7 – 8