A front moving from west to east over the North Island today gradually weakens however it may leave in its wake an unstable afternoon for some. A low in the Tasman affects some western parts of the North Island and upper South Island from later in the evening / overnight.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Some rain then easing to the odd shower in the afternoon with sunny spells, northerlies tend northwest. Overnight there may be some rain with the odd heavy fall about western Auckland and western Waikato. The Bay Of Plenty may be cloudy for much of the day with patchy rain, easing in the evening.

Highs: 18-22

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Morning rain then showers and sunny spells from afternoon, the odd shower from afternoon may be heavy with a rumble of thunder (mainly inland) then easing in the evening. Later in the evening or overnight a further wave of rain moves into Taranaki with heavy falls and thunderstorms. Northerly winds.

Highs: 16-19

Eastern North Island

Scattered rain, clearing early afternoon and sunny spells increasing, northeasterlies tend more northerly late afternoon.

Highs: 20-21

Wellington

Areas of rain, clearing in the afternoon then sunny spells develop. Overnight further rain with a chance of heavy falls. Northerly winds.

High: 17

Marlborough & Nelson

Rain eases then mostly clearing early afternoon with sun breaking through, north to northwesterly winds freshen. Some further rain overnight, heavy about northwest Nelson with a chance of thunderstorms.

Highs: 16-19

Canterbury

Morning cloud with a few spots of rain then breaking to mostly sunny weather by midday, mid afternoon onwards mainly Mid Canterbury southwards isolated showers develop some of which may be heavy with a thunderstorm then easing in the evening. Chance of an evening shower for North Canterbury otherwise mainly dry there. Northeasterly winds gradually tend southwest.

High: 19

West Coast

Morning rain eases then clears with sun breaking through, late afternoon / evening there may be some further rain about northern parts of Buller. North to northeasterly winds.

Highs: 15-18

Southland & Otago

Early rain clears, during the afternoon isolated showers develop some of which may be heavy with thunderstorms (mainly inland) then easing in the evening as light winds tend southwest.

Highs: 15-19

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz