A low pressure system east of New Zealand today brings a cold southerly airflow for the South Island, milder westerlies further north. Strong cold southwesterlies over the South Island spread over the North Island on Tuesday.

Showers for the western North Island today, more persistent from afternoon then a few heavy falls possible this evening. Drier in the east with spots of rain possible this evening. Rain or showers spreading to most parts of the South Island by this afternoon, some may be heavy with thunderstorms and hail for Nelson / Marlborough this afternoon. Snow lowering to low levels (200 to 100m) about the far south of the South Island this evening, 600m overnight for Marlborough.

Rain or showers for much of the North Island on Tuesday, snow to 500m about the Central North Island. Rain or showers clears the upper South Island in the morning then sun breaks through. Dry for much of the lower South Island however showers push into Fiordland, Southland and parts of Otago by midday with snow flurries to 400m.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz