A low pressure system moves over the South Island today and with it comes a burst of wintry weather and cold temperatures. The North Island stays fairly calm although late evening and overnight rain moves into western areas.

Auckland, Northland, Bay Of Plenty & Waikato
A few morning showers clear with sunny spells slowly increasing. Westerlies tend more north to northwest by evening. Rain develops later in the evening with the chance of a thunderstorm in the west overnight.
Highs: 12-14

Central North Island
Sunny with some cloud at times from midday, low risk of a brief shower from midday also otherwise mainly dry. Light winds tend northerly. Overnight rain develops with heavy snow possible to 700m.
Highs: 9-11

Eastern North Island
Sunny with light winds tending northerly in the afternoon, late evening high cloud develops. Overnight rain moves into Wairarapa with a southerly change and snow to 700m.
High: 13-15

Western North Island
Morning sunny spells, more frequent cloudy periods from afternoon bring the odd shower. Overnight rain develops with the chance of a thunderstorm about Taranaki.
Highs: 12-13

Wellington
A sunny morning then some cloud increases from afternoon, northerly breezes. Overnight cold southerlies develop with rain and snow to 600m.
High: 12

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly sunny with light winds, some high cloud at times too. In the afternoon a few showers spread into Nelson then clear overnight. Late evening or overnight southerlies bring showers, possibly heavy with a risk of hail about Marlborough. Snow to 600m overnight.
Highs: 11-13

Canterbury
Mostly sunny with light winds in the morning, winds tend southwest in the afternoon then late afternoon or evening a southerly change develops which brings showers, possibly heavy with some hail and snow to 400m. There could even be a thunderstorm or two, more likely nearer the coast especially Banks Peninsula.
High: 10

West Coast
Rain, heavy at times with thunderstorms. Expect northerlies then winds change southeasterly in the evening with rain easing then clearing. Snow to 600m in the ranges.
Highs: 11-12

Coastal Otago
Early showers and snow flurries to 400m clear with sunny spells developing, southwest breezes. Winds tend more southerly later in the afternoon with further showers moving in and snow flurries developing to 400m. Precipitation clears overnight.
Highs: 7-8

Central Otago
Early showers and snow to 400m clears, sunny spells then develop with light winds. In the afternoon southerlies pick up a little with a few wintry showers moving in and the odd snow flurry to 400m again then clearing at night with frosts developing.
Highs: 4-5

Southland
Wintry showers with snow flurries to 400m, more nearer the coast with dry spells inland. Westerly breezes tend more southerly around midday at which point shower activity pushes further inland. Showers clear at night.
High: 8

WeatherWatch.co.nz