A strong northwesterly airflow lies over the country today with a front working it’s way into central New Zealand this afternoon. Northwesterlies ahead of the front may reach gale force about the upper South Island and lower North Island. Behind the front winds will remain gusty but will ease off a bit.

Auckland & Northland
Mostly cloudy skies with some occasional rain, mainly morning with long dry spells in the afternoon. Overnight rain moves in from the west and becomes heavy by dawn on Thursday morning. Breezy northwesterly winds.
Highs: 17-19

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Cloudy with occasional rain, rain becomes heavy about the Central North Island in the evening then further north overnight. Breezy northwesterlies.
Highs: 14-18

Eastern North Island
Sunny with thickening high cloud, northwestlies become strong in the afternoon possibly rising to gale force at times. About Wairarapa winds will be strong all day with gale force northwesterlies likely at times. Some rain moves into the Wairarapa in the evening then further north overnight.
Highs: 18-20

Western North Island
Mostly cloudy with some rain about Taranaki and Kapiti, strong gusty northwesterly winds especially midday onwards. Widespread heavy rain moves through mid to late evening then eases towards dawn the next morning.
Highs: 16-17

Wellington
Cloudy with severe gale northerly winds, some rain at times. In the evening a period of heavy rain moves through which clears overnight.
High: 15

Nelson
Strong gusty northwesterly winds with periods of rain, rain heavy for a time late afternoon and evening then easing overnight with winds backing off too.
Highs: 15-16

Marlborough
Thick high cloud with gale force northwesterly winds for much of the day, severe gale gusts are possible at times. The odd spit of rain then late afternoon and evening a period of more sustained rain moves through then clears at night with winds easing.
Highs: 18-20

Canterbury
Some morning rain, heavy and possibly thundery about the foothills clears. Becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon with gale north to northwest winds easing
Highs: 18-20

West Coast
Heavy rain with thunderstorms, easing during the afternoon however still the odd heavy fall about. Gusty north to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 14-15

Coastal Otago
Sunny with some high cloud, northwesterly winds. Late evening winds change southwest with a few showers and some snow possible down to 500m.
Highs: 17-18

Central Otago
High cloud with breezy north to northwesterly winds, some rain moves in mid to late afternoon then eases overnight. Some snow to 800m later in the evening lowering to 500m overnight then clearing.
Highs: 12-13

Southland
High cloud in the morning with a few spots of rain possible and brisk northwesterlies, winds change southwest mid to late afternoon with heavy thundery showers moving through with hail. Snow to 800m from evening lowering to 400m at night. Showers ease overnight.
Highs: 11-12

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz