Westerlies build today ahead of a front which moves onto the lower South Island late afternoon then moves northwards.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Mostly sunny with light west to southwesterly winds.
Highs: 19-20

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Cloudy areas, may be a shower or two at times. Breezy west to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 15-18

Eastern North Island
Sunny with light winds for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, perhaps tending northeast in the afternoon near the coast. The Wairarapa has a mainly sunny day also although northwesterly winds are a little breezy at times during the day.
Highs: 18-21

Wellington
Morning sun then some cloud from afternoon, breezy northwesterly winds.
High: 17

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly sunny with some high cloud, north to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 17-20

Canterbury
Sunny areas and increasing high cloud, northwesterly winds pick up becoming strong in the evening about inland areas. Winds ease overnight.
Highs: 18-20

West Coast
Mostly cloudy with the odd shower, rain moves into South Westland in the afternoon with heavy falls. Pushing northwards in the evening however this area of rain will weaken. Northwesterly winds increase then changing west to southwest in the evening.
Highs: 14-16

Southland & Otago
Sunny areas and some high cloud, late afternoon or evening northwesterly winds change strong westerly bringing some rain which clears later in the evening. A shower or two may hang about coastal Southland overnight.
Highs: 17-18

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz