A northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand today, becoming strong over the South Island. A cold front moves onto the lower South Island this afternoon moving northwards to reach the lower North Island overnight.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
A mix of sun and cloud, the Bay Of Plenty has mostly sunny weather. West to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 19-21

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Morning cloud breaks to sunny areas, cloud may be more persistent during the day about Kapiti and Taranaki. Cloud thickens again in the evening for most. The odd light shower about Taranaki from afternoon then rain spreads to all areas overnight. Northwesterly winds.
Highs: 17-19

Eastern North Island
Sunny, some late high cloud. Northwesterly winds, tending northeast near the coast in the afternoon about Hawkes Bay and Gisborne. Winds tend more northwest for inland areas, spreading to the coast in the evening.
Highs: 20-24

Wellington
Cloudy areas, strengthening north to northwesterly winds, gales at times from afternoon.
High: 16

Marlborough & Nelson
Sunny areas and increasing high cloud, north to northwesterly winds become gusty in the afternoon. Some rain moves into Nelson later in the evening then a few spits spread into Marlborough overnight.
Highs: 19-22

Canterbury
High cloud, some overnight rain as northerlies (gusty about inland areas) change southwest.
Highs: 20-23

West Coast
Cloudy, rain about South Westland becomes heavy in the afternoon. The odd shower develops about North Westland from afternoon turning to heavy rain there in the evening. Breezy northeasterly winds change west to southwest at night.
Highs: 13-15

Southland & Otago
High cloud, rain from midday about Southland as northerlies change westerly. Rain clears by evening. Rain moves into Otago late afternoon or evening with a southwest change.
Highs: 16-21

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz