An unstable southwesterly airflow lies over the South Island this evening and brings showers to many, a few of which could heavy hail and thunder depending where you are. The North Island has westerlies and sees the odd shower in the west, especially just after midnight.

Auckland & Northland
Cloudy spells with brisk westerly winds, chance of a shower. Showers a little more likely just after midnight then easing before dawn.
Tonight’s Low: 11

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Cloudy spells with breezy west to southwest winds. Chance of a shower. After midnight there is a greater risk of showers about the Waikato and Central North Island for a time then easing before dawn.
Tonight’s Lows: 5-8

Eastern North Island
Areas of cloud clearing away, breezy west to southwest winds ease a little overnight.
Tonight’s Lows: 7-8

Western North Island
Cloudy spells with the odd shower, a greater risk of showers just after midnight with a risk of small hail. Brisk westerly winds.
Tonight’s Lows: 9-10

Wellington
Clear spells with northerly winds, a few showers possible later as winds tend westerly.
Tonight’s Lows: 8-9

Nelson
Some cloud with the chance of a shower, any showers clear this evening. Breezy southwesterly winds ease overnight with skies becoming clear.
Tonight’s Low: 5

Marlborough
Some cloud with the odd isolated shower clearing this evening. Westerly winds. Clear skies overnight.
Tonight’s Lows: 2-3

Canterbury
Sunny and cloudy spells with easterly winds about the coast, westerlies inland. A few isolated showers about. Showers becoming heavy later this afternoon about South Canterbury with a risk of hail and lightning as winds tend southerly. Shower activity then moves north during the course of the evening to reach North Canterbury later this evening. Showers clear overnight with winds dying away. Cold later.
Tonight’s Lows: 1-2

West Coast
Showers, possibly heavy for a time this evening with some hail then clearing around midnight. West to southwest winds ease later.
Tonight’s Lows: 3-4

Coastal Otago
Showers with a chance of hail clearing later this evening, cool west to southwest breezes ease later on and skies become clear overnight.
Tonight’s Lows: 2-3

Central Otago
The odd remaining shower and snow flurry to 500m clearing this evening. Skies clear overnight with light winds.
Tonight’s Lows: -2-0

Southland
Showers with a chance of hail, the odd snow flurry to 500m also. Areas of precipitation clearing later this evening with cold westerlies easing. Clear skies overnight with winds tending northwest.
Tonight’s Lows: 2-3

Homepage image / Chris Johnson

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz