A strong southwesterly airflow lies over the country today, cloudy areas out west with showers. Drier in the east, a southwest change works it’s way up the east coast of the South Island this afternoon / evening however bringing strong winds and a few showers mainly near the coast.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Occasional showers and sunny periods, brisk west to southwesterly winds. The Bay Of Plenty and eastern Northland remaining mostly sunny during the day with only the low risk of the odd shower passing over from the west.

Highs: 17-19

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Periods of cloud and the odd shower mainly from afternoon. Areas north and east of Lake Taupo may remain fairly dry. Westerly winds, strong and gusty midday onwards.

Highs: 14-17

Eastern North Island

Mostly sunny, gusty westerly winds pick up around midday. Overnight a southwest change moves in bringing cloud and a few showers to the Wairarapa.

High: 19-20

Wellington

Mostly sunny with northwesterlies picking up around midday. An overnight southerly change brings showers.

High: 17

Marlborough & Nelson

Becoming sunny in the morning, northwesterlies pick up around midday becoming gusty. Later in the evening winds tend southwest.

Highs: 17-19

Canterbury

Mostly sunny weather with light winds near the coast, fairly breezy west to northwest winds elsewhere. Late afternoon or evening winds tend strong southwest with gales about the coast, cloud increases and a few coastal showers move in.

Highs: 17-18

West Coast

Showers about South Westland push into North Westland by midday, gusty west to southwesterly winds developing this morning. Showers clear overnight.

Highs: 14

Southland & Otago

Occasional showers, a few snow flurries lower to 300m in the evening about Southland and 600m in Otago before clearing overnight. While these levels are relatively low any snow accumulations will be mostly insignificant at these levels. West to southwest winds strong from morning, gales at times after midday about the Southland and Otago coasts.

Highs: 11-13

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz