A ridge of high pressure lies over the South Island on Tuesday meanwhile an occluded front to the east curls into a weak area of low pressure over the North Island.

Looking drier for the North Island on Tuesday, the odd isolated shower may creep into Waikato / Bay Of Plenty late afternoon / evening. Rain about Wairarapa may be heavy in the morning then easing, mainly dry for Hawkes Bay / Gsiborne however during the afternoon isolated showers develop about the ranges, some may become heavy with thunderstorms.

Cloud and the odd shower / drizzle patch for eastern parts of the South Island on Tuesday, sunnier conditions out west.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz