A strong southwesterly airflow gradually eases over New Zealand today as a large low east of the South Island continues to move away.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Cloudy areas, chance of a shower or two otherwise mainly dry. Some sun breaking through in the afternoon mainly about the Bay Of Plenty. Brisk west to southwesterly winds.

Highs: 20-22

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Rain or showers, clearing around midday for most then cloud breaks to some sun. Some rain may not clear the Manawatu till evening. Westerly winds, strong about Taranaki.

Highs: 18-19

Eastern North Island

Some rain, easing to showers from midday which clear this evening. Gusty cool southwesterly winds die out later on today. About Napier northwards conditions may be fairly dry.

Highs: 23-24

Wellington

Morning showers clear then increasing sunny spells from afternoon, southerlies tend northerly later in the day.

High: 18

Marlborough & Nelson

Any early showers clear then sunny spells increase, light northeasterlies develop around midday for Marlborough. Southwest breezes for much of the day about Nelson.

Highs: 20-23

Canterbury

Any early showers clear then becoming mostly sunny around midday, southwesterlies (strong to gale on Banks Peninsula initially) dying out in the evening.

High: 21

West Coast

Mostly sunny with breezy west to southwesterly winds. There may be a shower or two about North Westland, mainly early this morning.

Highs: 18-21

Southland & Otago

Plenty of cloud about Southland and coastal Otago although a few sunny spells will gradually break through as the day moves along. The odd shower about but long dry spells also. Central Otago sees morning cloud break to a mostly sunny afternoon. Brisk west to southwesterly winds ease later today, strong to gale winds about coastal Otago.

Highs: 15-21

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz