Strong cold southwesterlies over the South Island spread over the North Island today.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Showers, some may be heavy with hail for a time in the afternoon as westerlies tend brisk to strong southwest. Showers ease evening.
Highs: 13-14

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Morning rain and snow to 500m eases to showers around midday as gusty southerlies ease then tend westerly. Some sun may break through at times from afternoon.
Highs: 6-13

Eastern North Island
Rain about Wairarapa pushes into Hawkes Bay / Gisborne around midday with a cold southwest change, clearing by evening. Snow about the ranges of Wairarapa to 500m, 800m further north. Sunny areas before rain moves in.
Highs: 11-15

Wellington
Morning rain and snow to 500m clears, sunny areas increase from afternoon with cold southerlies dying away.
High: 10

Marlborough & Nelson
Early rain and snow to 500m clears then becoming sunny around midday with southwesterlies dying out.
Highs: 13-15

Canterbury
Early showers clear then becoming sunny by midday with cold southwesterlies dying out.
Highs: 10-13

West Coast
Mostly sunny, early showers about Buller clear. During the morning showers push into Fiordland then a few showers reach further north later in the afternoon or evening. Snow lowers to 200m at night about Fiordland, snow flurries lower to 500m further north. Light winds then west to southwest winds freshen from midday.
Highs: 10-13

Southland & Otago
Dry early on then showers push in during the morning into Southland as west to southwesterly winds strengthen. Showers not reaching Otago till afternoon. Some parts of northern Otago may stay dry all day with sunny spells. Snow flurries to 500m lower to low levels (200 to 100m) overnight.
Highs: 8-12

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz