A northeasterly airflow lies over New Zealand today with broad big low in the Tasman Sea. A front sweeps down over the North Island pushing down from the northwest. Unstable air forms behind the front.

North Island

Rain in the west, heavy this morning for Auckland and Waikato, moving into BOP by midday then into the east coast this evening. Rain does weaken a little as front moves eastwards though. Morning sunny spells possible in the east before clouding up. Once front clears in the west (Northland, Auckland then eventually Waikato this evening) thunderstorms and downpours may develop.

South Island

Mostly cloudy for the upper South Island, rain for Nelson / Marlborough with the odd shower elsewhere, rain eases this evening Nelson / Marlborough and spreads into Canterbury. Southland and Otago are clear with sun and high cloud, a a bit cloudy for eastern Otago though with light showers there overnight.