A cold southerly airflow lies over the country today although it will quickly ease over the South Island with heavy frosts expected tonight. The North Island sees any morning showers in the west clear then mostly sunny weather moves in, cloud and occasional showers affect the east.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

A few early to mid morning showers clear then mostly sunny with breezy south to southeasterly winds.

Highs: 12-15

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Morning showers (mainly early on) with a chance of hail then clearing, sunny areas for the rest of the day. Breezy south to southeasterly winds.

Highs: 9-12

Eastern North Island

A burst of early morning showers then easing, showers may mostly clear or becoming very coastal and infrequent. Showers move in again more overnight. A chance of small hail with any showers, snow flurries possible to 400m first thing then 100 to 200m overnight. Accumulations will be fairly minimal if non existent.

Highs: 9-11

Wellington

Mostly cloudy with occasional showers, a chance of small hail at times. The odd snow flurry about also to 300m this morning then lowering to 100m by late afternoon, any accumulations will be fairly minimal.

Highs: 7-8

Marlborough & Nelson

Any morning showers clear otherwise mostly sunny. Breezy south to southwesterly winds.

Highs: 9-10

Canterbury

Wintry showers with a risk of hail, snow flurries lower to near sea level this morning. Shower activity pushing onshore Ashburton northwards with South and inland parts of Mid Canterbury remaining mainly dry. Showers clearing further north by late afternoon, perhaps not clearing Banks Peninsula till evening. Very frosty overnight.

Highs: 5-7

West Coast

Sunny with southeasterly winds. Frosty overnight.

Highs: 8-9

Southland & Otago

Any morning wintry showers or low level snow flurries clear, cloud breaking this afternoon to mostly sunny weather. Cloud may be a bit slower breaking about coastal Otago. Southwesterlies gradually die away. Very cold overnight.

Highs: 5-6

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz