A northwesterly airflow lies over the country today. A front within this flow pushes northwards over the South Island during the day and another moves over Northland bringing a risk of unstable conditions.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Mostly sunny for Auckland through to Bay Of Plenty. Northland has a dry start with some sun then afternoon showers move in (mainly in the northeast), possibly heavy with thunderstorms then easing at night. Warm northwesterly winds.
Highs: 23-25

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Sunny spells, cloud a bit thicker about Kapiti and Taranaki with a shower or two. Northwesterly winds.
Highs: 20-22

Eastern North Island
Mainly sunny weather, north to northeasterly winds tend northwest in the afternoon.
Highs: 24-29

Wellington
A mix of sun and cloud, strong northwesterly winds gusting to gale at times.
Highs: 19-20

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly sunny, some high cloud from afternoon with some scattered rain spreading into Nelson, clearing evening. North to northwesterly winds becoming gusty after midday.
Highs: 21-23

Canterbury
Mostly sunny with some developing high cloud, a few spots of rain about South and Mid Canterbury in the afternoon then North Canterbury in the evening. Rain becomes heavy in the high country from afternoon then eases later in the evening. Gusty northerly winds tilt to the northwest in the afternoon.
Highs: 24-26

West Coast
Rain, heavy at times especially in the afternoon then easing evening as gusty northerlies tend northwest.
Highs: 16-18

Southland & Otago
A mainly dry morning for Invercargill with some sun, risk spot of rain. Rain more likely around midday / early afternoon as northerlies change gusty northwest. Rain about western Central Otago with heavy falls for a time around midday. For the rest of Otago expect sunny areas and thickening high cloud, spots of rain in the afternoon. Skies clearing up in the evening for all.
Highs: 16-22

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz