A strong southwesterly airflow lies over the country today, coastal gales, snow in the hills, thunderstorms, hail and more in today’s forecast. More details below.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Rain develops early on as gusty northwesterlies change southwest, there may be thunder with this change then around midday very cold air moves over or a trough in other words bringing another risk of heavy showers with thunderstorms and hail (mainly south of about Auckland). Gales possible especially afternoon. Conditions ease in the evening.
Highs: 13 – 15

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Morning heavy rain then showers as northwesterlies change southwest (coastal gales, mainly Taranaki). Thunderstorms and heavy falls possible with a chance of hail, easing in the evening. Snow to 700m at first, lowering to 400m later in the day about the Central Plateau then easing.
Highs: 5 – 13

Eastern North Island
Rain south of Napier, spits further north. Southwesterlies develop for Wairarapa in the morning then spreading northwards. Showers in the afternoon may be heavy with thunderstorms and hail, easing at night. Snow may fall as low as 500m later in the day, 300m for Wairarapa.
Highs: 12 – 15

Wellington
Early heavy rain then showers, heavy at times with hail, perhaps a thunderstorm (mainly later in the day). Snow to 500m in the morning, lowering to 300m at night. Strong to gale southerly winds. .
Highs: 10 – 11

Marlborough & Nelson
Partly cloudy with the odd shower, clearing in the evening. A few snow flurries in the ranges. Cold southwesterlies.
Highs: 9 – 12

Canterbury
The odd shower with strong southwesterlies. Morning rain and snow to 400m for inland North Canterbury then easing. Late afternoon cloud thickens with showers becoming a little more widespread for a time, showers become heavy on Banks Peninsula with hail, perhaps even thunder then easing at night. Snow flurries may get down to 200m in the evening for Banks Peninsula. Showers clear for most inland areas later in the day with showers becoming restricted to the coast.
Highs: 7 – 11

West Coast
Morning showers, possibly heavy with thunderstorms and hail for North Westland then clearing by midday with sunny areas increasing, showers may not clear north of Greymouth till evening. Snow to 500m. Strong southwesterlies ease later in the day.
Highs: 8 – 12

Southland & Otago
Heavy showers and hail, easing from midday, not easing till late afternoon for coastal Otago. Snow may fall as low as 200 or 100m. Cold blustery southwesterlies (gales for coastal Otago) ease later in the day.
Highs: 7 – 8