A low pressure system moves towards the upper North Island today bringing rain which could become heavy overnight for Auckland northwards. Strong west to northwest winds continue to cover the rest of the country with rain in the west and drier conditions out east, some rain will move through much of Otago for a time however and perhaps a shower or two will push into Canterbury this evening.

Northland
Cloudy with rain developing in the morning, brisk northeasterly winds. Rain may be heavy at times from evening then conditions ease overnight with a southerly change towards dawn on Thursday.
High: 15

Auckland
Cloudy with patchy rain developing towards midday, northeasterly winds pick up a little during the afternoon becoming breezy. At night expect rain and it may be heavy.
High: 14

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Cloudy with patchy rain from midday becoming more persistent at night about the Bay Of Plenty and Waikato, northerly winds.
Highs: 11-15

Eastern North Island
Thick high cloud with north to northwest breezes, there may be a shower or two move into Gisborne late afternoon and evening.
High: 14-16

Western North Island
Mostly cloudy skies with northerly breezes. Showers move into northern Taranaki in the afternoon then further south in the evening.
Highs: 14-15

Wellington
Cloudy skies with strong gusty northerlies which ease later in the evening. There is the chance of a brief shower at times.
Highs: 13-14

Nelson
Mainly cloudy skies with north to northwest winds, there is the chance of a brief shower mainly in the morning then again later in the evening. Cloud decreases overnight.
Highs: 13-14

Marlborough
Thick high cloud with gusty northwesterlies, a brief shower may spread from the west at first early in the morning then again later in the evening otherwise expect a mostly dry day. Showers are more likely about the Sounds during the day. Winds ease at night with high cloud then decreasing.
Highs: 15-16

Canterbury
Plenty of high cloud with breezy north to northwesterly winds, strong to gale force for inland areas. High cloud decreases mid afternoon onwards with winds easing. In the evening there could be a few showers move through on a brief southwest change however.
Highs: 16-17

West Coast
Rain, heavy at times then easing from late afternoon finally clearing at night. Brisk northerlies change west to southwest in the afternoon.
High: 13-14

Coastal Otago
Cloudy with a spell of rain developing mid morning as gusty northwesterlies change westerly. Rain clears early afternoon with sunny weather then moving in, westerlies ease up a little in the evening.
High: 13-14

Central Otago
Rain in the morning then mostly clearing around midday, the odd shower may push over from the west at times for the rest of the day otherwise becoming fairly dry. Sunny spells develop in the afternoon as breezy northerlies change northwest.
Highs: 10-11

Southland
Morning rain eases to showers by midday, a few brief sunny spells may sneak through during the afternoon also. Brisk westerly winds.
Highs: 12-13

WeatherWatch.co.nz