A strong northwesterly airflow lies over New Zealand with a front pushing northwards during the day. This front brings heavy rain and thunderstorms to the West Coast then rain moves into the lower western North Island this afternoon. Potentially becoming unstable about the lower South Island this afternoon also.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Sunny areas and increasing cloud, a few showers develop about Waikato by midday then elsewhere in the evening. Rain moves into the Waikato in the evening. Northwesterly winds.
Highs: 15-19

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Showers for Taranaki and Kapiti, turning to widespread rain in the afternoon then easing later in the evening. Rain may be heavy about Taranaki for a time before easing. Breezy northwesterlies.
Highs: 12-16

Eastern North Island
Sunny areas and increasing high cloud, chance spot of rain late afternoon / evening otherwise mainly dry. Breezy northwesterly winds.
Highs: 19-21

Wellington
Scattered rain, clearing later in the evening. Strong to gale northwesterly winds.
High: 15

Marlborough & Nelson
Rain for Nelson and about the Marlborough Sounds, clearing later in the afternoon with sun possibly breaking through before dusk. Spots of rain make it into coastal Marlborough at times also, clearing mid / late afternoon. Strong north to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 18-22

Canterbury
Morning high cloud then mostly sunny, South Canterbury may see some scattered morning rain then clearing. Heavy rain about the high country eases to showers in the morning, clearing late afternoon / evening. North to northwesterly winds (gusty north of Banks Peninsula at times) changing southwest in the evening south of Banks Peninsula near the coast.
Highs: 20-24

West Coast
Morning heavy rain with thunderstorms then easing to showers, breezy northwesterlies ease.
Highs: 14-16

Southland & Otago
Any early spots of rain clear then expect some sun, showers develop in the afternoon possibly heavy before clearing later in the evening. Light winds.
Highs: 14-19

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz