A large anticyclone to the southwest directs a cold southerly airflow over the South Island today, this southerly airflow gradually pushes over the North Island.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
A mix of sun and cloud, chance of a shower or two otherwise mainly dry. Southerly quarter winds.
Highs: 18-22

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
A dry morning then showers develop around midday as southeasterly winds freshen. Drying out overnight. Taranaki stays mainly dry, perhaps the chance of a shower in the afternoon. Strong southeasterly winds about the Taranaki coastline from afternoon.
Highs: 16-18

Eastern North Island
Showers about Wairarapa, risk of a shower at times further north otherwise mainly dry. Showers becoming heavy about Wairarapa in the afternoon then further north later in the evening. Southerly winds freshen.
Highs: 16-19

Wellington
Showers develop in the morning, easing overnight. Southerly winds strengthen rising to gale through Cook Strait by midday.
High: 14

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly cloudy, may be a shower. Some sun may break through from afternoon, cloud more likely to break away later in the day. Fresh southeasterly winds, strong to gale southeast winds about the Sounds.
Highs: 13-17

Canterbury
Showers, possibly heavy in the morning with small hail then easing from afternoon. Some snow to 500m. Fresh south to southwesterly winds.
Highs: 10-13

West Coast
Cloudy areas and a few showers, dry spells increasing from afternoon then cloud breaking away in the evening. Breezy southeasterly winds.
Highs: 14-16

Southland & Otago
Cloudy areas with the risk of a shower at times till evening then cloud breaking away (highest risk of showers about coastal Otago), mainly dry otherwise. Cool southerly winds.
Highs: 12-13

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz