A northwesterly airflow lies over much of New Zealand today while a ridge sits over Northland and Auckland. Mainly sunny and settled across most of the country although as expected northwesterly winds will pick up about eastern parts of the South Island this afternoon. Also the West Coast of the South Island can expect cloudy skies and rain pushing in.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Mostly sunny with light west to southwesterly winds, sea breezes for Northland.

Highs: 20-22

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Mostly sunny with west to northwesterly winds.

Highs: 17-20

Eastern North Island

Mainly sunny with northwesterly breezes for the Wairarapa from afternoon, east to northeasterly winds about Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.

Highs: 19-22

Wellington

Sunny with northwesterly winds, becoming brisk to strong from afternoon.

High: 17

Marlborough & Nelson

Mostly sunny with north to northwesterly winds, breezy this afternoon.

Highs: 20-25

Canterbury

Mostly sunny with a touch of high cloud. Light winds, northwesterlies pick up this afternoon especially inland.

High: 23

West Coast

Rain from morning about South Westland spreads into North Westland during the afternoon, showers before rain moves in. Increasing northwesterly winds.

Highs: 15-16

Southland & Otago

Some morning sun then a few showers move in during the afternoon about Southland, winds gusty from the northwest especially about Southland and inland Otago. Coastal Otago mostly sunny all day.

Highs: 19-23

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz