It will be a day of increasing clouds and developing rainfall for much of the country.  The Tasman low is already sending the first batch of rain toward Taranaki this morning.

As we go through the morning expect the rain to continue to move onto the western sections of the North Island and north-western South Island.  By this afternoon, the western half of both islands should be seeing precipitation.

Auckland and Hamilton will see a few showers this morning.  A more general rain is expected for this afternoon.  Christchurch will likely see a fair amount of sunshine this morning with clouds and rain moving in late this afternoon.  By tonight, much of the country will see precipitation.

A few rumbles of thunder are possible with this system.  Taranaki could see some thundery falls this morning.  Thunderstorms are also possible tonight about Northland, Auckland, western Waikato, Taranaki and Nelson.

By WeatherWatch.co.nz Analyst Howard Joseph