A very cold south to southwesterly airflow lies over the country today, wintry showers for many in the east with sea level snow flurries possible for some.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Morning sunny areas, a few showers pass through for a time mainly in the afternoon with a risk of hail then mostly clearing by evening. Cold south to southwest winds.

High: 10-12

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Morning showers with a chance of hail and snow to 400m then clearing for Taranaki especially in the north during the afternoon with sun breaking through. Southern parts of Taranaki down through to Kapiti in the west may see the odd wintry shower continue with any snow flurries lowering to 200m by evening. Gusty southeasterly winds.

Highs: 8-10

Eastern North Island

Morning rain possibly heavy then easing to showers in the afternoon, snow to 500m lowers to 200m in the evening. By evening showers are fairly infrequent and quite coastal having cleared away from inland areas. Cold south to southwesterly winds.

Highs: 8-9

Wellington

Mostly cloudy with the odd shower, a chance of small hail and low level snow flurries. Shower activity may ease in the afternoon for a time. Cold southerly winds.

Highs: 7-8

Marlborough & Nelson

Mostly sunny with southwesterly winds.

Highs: 8-10

Canterbury

Mostly sunny inland with some cloud towards the coast, wintry showers right on the coast especially about Banks Peninsula with snow flurries to low levels possibly even sea level. In the afternoon shower activity pushes further inland with sleet possible, snow flurries to low levels. South Canterbury especially inland stays mainly dry all day. Winds cold from the southwest strong on the coast.

Highs: 6-8

West Coast

Sunny with southeasterly winds, a cold start especially inland.

Highs: 7-9

Southland & Otago

Mostly cloudy with the odd shower, snow flurries to low levels however accumulations will be fairly minor. Shower activity a little more frequent during the day about the Catlins and coastal Otago. Cold southwesterly winds.

High: 6

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz