An anticyclone is centred west of the North Island in the Tasman Sea today directing a west to southwesterly airflow over New Zealand. Westerlies build on Tuesday ahead of a front which moves onto the lower South Island late afternoon then moves northwards.

Some cloud in the west of the North Island may produce a shower or two this morning then expect a mostly sunny afternoon with southwesterly breezes. Mainly sunny elsewhere in the North Island and eastern South Island. A wet day for the West Coast of the South Island.

Chance of a light shower or two about the southwestern North Island on Tuesday, mainly dry elsewhere with southwesterly breezes. For the South Island west to northwesterly winds build becoming strong in inland areas during the afternoon and evening. Heavy rain moves into South Westland during the afternoon with thunderstorms possible, this rain moves northwards in the evening although it will weaken. Late afternoon / evening a gusty westerly change moves through Southland then Otago bringing some rain for a time.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz