A northwesterly airflow builds over the country today ahead of a SW front which moves onto the lower South Island around midday. This front will quickly move northwards reaching the lower North Island around midnight.

Auckland & Northland
West to northwest breezes with cloudy spells. There may be a brief shower at times from afternoon. Cloud thickens in the evening.
Highs: 16-17

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Sunny spells with westerly breezes, there may be a brief shower now and then from afternoon but expect long dry spells too. The Bay Of Plenty is more likely to stay dry during the day.
Highs: 13-17

Eastern North Island
Mostly sunny with some high cloud developing late afternoon. Light winds puff through from the northwest at times during the afternoon.
Highs: 17-18

Western North Island
Cloudy periods with west to northwest breezes, the odd shower at times.
Highs: 15

Wellington
Sunny spells and some cloud with brisk northerlies, a little gusty at times from afternoon. Cloud increases evening. Overnight a strong southerly change develops bringing rain.
High: 14

Nelson
Sunny with a few clouds, west to northwest breezes. Cloud increases evening then a few showers develop overnight.
Highs: 15-16

Marlborough
Sunny and warm with breezy northwesterlies, high cloud develops in the evening. Overnight winds change southerly with rain.
Highs: 17-18

Canterbury
Mostly sunny with some high cloud thickening from midday. Light winds push through from the northwest in the afternoon. Early evening a brisk southwest change develops with rain in South Canterbury, pushing into North Canterbury later in the evening.
Highs: 16-17

West Coast
Rain from morning with northwesterly breezes, rain heavy for a time in the evening then clearing around midnight with a southerly change.
High: 12

Coastal Otago
High cloud thickens in the morning, expect a few sunny spells early on. Light winds may pick up from the northwest for a time. Mid afternoon winds change gusty southwest with rain which eases to showers by evening. Showers from evening may have some small hail at times and expect a few snow flurries to 300m.
High: 15

Central Otago
Cloudy in the morning with northwesterlies, a few spits of rain spreading from the west into the central lakes district at times. Around midday a brisk southwest change brings rain and snow to 800m which eases to showers late afternoon then clearing late evening. Showers from late afternoon could have some small hail at times and a few snow flurries lower to 300m. Frosty overnight.
Highs: 10-11

Southland
Thick high cloud in the morning with northwesterlies, late morning a brisk southwest change brings rain which eases to showers late afternoon. Showers from late afternoon could be briefly heavy at times with some small hail and a few snow flurries fall to 300m.
Highs: 10-11

WeatherWatch.co.nz