A low pressure system peels away to the east of the North Island today, this combined with a high moving into the Tasman Sea will bring a period of cold southerlies for New Zealand starting about the lower South Island from late morning then gradually moving northwards.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
A few showers, mainly this morning (possibly heavy about the Bay Of Plenty) then expect sunny spells.
The odd shower may continue this afternoon especially in the west. Freshening southwesterly winds.
Highs: 17-19

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Occasional showers, clearing later this afternoon or evening. Southwesterly winds, becoming strong about the Taranaki coast later in the evening.
Highs: 11-16

Eastern North Island
Rain or showers for the Wairarapa and Gisborne, long dry spells about Hawkes Bay. Rain eases this evening and long dry spells develop then overnight further rain moves into the Wairarapa. Fresh southwesterly winds.
Highs: 13-16

Wellington
Rain, clearing this afternoon then some sun may break through. Showers pick up again overnight. Fresh southerly winds.
High: 13

Marlborough & Nelson
A few showers about this morning, easing and clearing away then sun breaks through this afternoon. Overnight rain moves in as southerlies freshen.
Highs: 15-17

Canterbury
Morning showers ease then clear, some sun may break through for a time this afternoon then late afternoon or evening southwesterlies freshen bringing rain and a risk of hail later on. Snow lowers to 200m overnight.
Highs: 8-12

West Coast
Mainly sunny weather, in the evening southwesterlies change southeast bringing showers. Inland about the main divide snow lowers to 300m overnight.
Highs: 12-14

Southland & Otago
Some sun at first then late morning a cold southwest change pushes into Southland bringing showers, possibly heavy at times with hail. Showers move into Otago mid afternoon. Snow lowers to 200m later in the evening, possibly near sea level at times overnight.
Highs: 7-11

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz