A strong northwesterly airflow lies over the country today, in this flow a front moves over the South Island reaching the lower North Island overnight. Heavy rain can be expected for the South Island’s West Coast.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Sunny areas and some cloud for most although the Bay Of Plenty is looking mostly cloudy from morning, increasing north to northeasterly winds.

Highs: 19-22

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Periods of cloud and sunny spells, north to northwesterly winds brisk from afternoon for Taranaki and Kapiti. Taranaki and Kapiti are likely to be mostly cloudy all day, rain moves in overnight for all.

Highs: 17-20

Eastern North Island

Mostly sunny with light winds in the morning, northwesterlies pick up in the afternoon becoming gusty about the Wairarapa. High cloud thickens up later in the evening.

Highs: 21-23

Wellington

Mostly cloudy with strong gusty northwesterlies, a risk of gales at times from afternoon. Late evening rain.

High: 19

Marlborough & Nelson

Morning sunny areas however high cloud does thicken becoming mostly cloudy by midday, Nelson is cloudy from morning. North to northwesterly winds will be gusty then strong from afternoon. Evening rain moves in heavy about the northwest Nelson / Tasman area, rain is more persistent about Nelson and more sporadic further east into Marlborough.

Highs: 19-21

Canterbury

Thick high cloud, a few spots of rain spreading from the west late afternoon then clearing in the evening. Inland areas about the foothills may see more persistent rain during the afternoon with the chance of heavy falls even possible before clearing in the evening. Winds strong and gusty from the northwest with a chance of gales inland then easing in the evening.

High: 22

West Coast

Cloudy with rain for all areas, rain heavy with possible torrential falls about South Westland during the morning then moving into North Westland in the afternoon as a front slides northwards along the coast. Rain eases for all overnight, winds strong and gusty from the north.

Highs: 17-18

Southland & Otago

Cloudy with a few spells of rain developing in the morning, rain becoming heavy by midday about western Central Otago. Northeasterlies change northwest late afternoon with rain easing then clearing. Sunny areas break through after rain clears.

Highs: 16-20

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz