Northern New Zealand will be under high pressure today and a lot of sunshine but clouds and winds are building in the south as a cold front moves in and the high slips away.

Max winds of 35-55km/h are expected in most areas of the South Island and gale winds of above 60km/h will be
possible in exposed southern parts of the island and also Cook Strait.

Rain on the West Coast will fall mainly tonight and accumulation will locally reach 150-200mm, especially in the Tasman Sea side of the mountains.

The low will move eastward on Monday, and the main areas of heavy rain will change into the southern parts of the North Island. About the south island, rain will also continue across the north part on Monday.

On Tuesday, high pressure in the Tasman sea will cover over New Zealand and sunshine will return to both islands.