A strong northwesterly airflow develops over the lower half of the country today ahead of a few fronts moving northwards, heavy rain is expected for the West Coast.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Cloud breaks to sun in the afternoon, the odd shower in the west during the day. Overnight or perhaps more towards dawn on Friday showers become more likely as a cold front pushes in from the southwest. Southwesterlies, tending westerly by evening.
Highs: 15 – 17

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Sunny areas and increasing cloud, showers develop during the afternoon then expect overnight rain. Northwesterlies strengthen during the day, coastal gales possible especially evening.
Highs: 10 – 15

Eastern North Island
Mostly sunny with high cloud spreading in from the south afternoon on wards, winds from the northwest becoming gusty after midday south of Napier, perhaps strong in the evening. Overnight spits of rain south of Napier.
Highs: 16 – 21

Wellington
Sun and increasing cloud, spits of rain from evening especially in the north. Northwesterlies strengthen rising to gale from afternoon, severe gales possible in the evening.
High: 15

Marlborough & Nelson
Sun and some high cloud for Marlborough, northwesterlies strengthen, perhaps gusting to gale especially evening as high cloud breaks away. Morning sun for Nelson then cloud increases, spits from afternoon then evening rain for a time.
Highs: 15 – 17

Canterbury
Some high cloud, breaking away in the afternoon and becoming mostly sunny. Spits of rain in the high country from afternoon spreading off the Main Divide. Northwesterlies increase, becoming strong for inland areas possibly gusting to gale. Overnight winds change southwest bringing showers.
Highs: 15 – 19

West Coast
Showers, heavy rain for Fiordland moves north in the afternoon with strengthening northwesteriles. Rain eases from the south evening on wards as winds tend westerly.
Highs: 13 – 14

Southland & Otago
A few spits for Southland, rain from afternoon. Otago is dry with some sun / high cloud, perhaps rain towards the western ranges / about the lakes district. In the afternoon a few spits or showers spread elsewhere. Strong northwesterlies change southwest at night bringing rain for most.
Highs: 13 – 18