Yes the big picture on Monday is basically looking wet. To the joy of many a large low covers the country centred just east of central New Zealand.

For the upper North Island and lower western North Island expect showers or periods of rain, heavy at times during the day with a risk of thunderstorms and hail. Winds breezy from the west then changing southwest later in the evening. The Bay Of Plenty may see areas of dry in the morning.

Mostly sunny along the east coast (Gisborne to Wairarapa) however some cloud builds in the afternoon and the odd shower spreads from the west. Winds generally west to northwest during the day.

Mostly sunny about Nelson and Marlborough, a few showers move in during the evening. Canterbury may be dry to start then rain sets in during the afternoon becoming heavy by evening, southerly winds strengthen during the day. Southland and Otago sees rain with the odd heavy fall then easing in the evening, southerly winds.

A mix of sun and cloud for the West Coast, winds from the south or southwest. Mainly dry however a shower may spread from the east at times.

Image – Monday 18th September 3.00pm MSLP / Rain map – weathermap.co.nz

– Aaron Wilkinson, WeatherWatch.co.nz