A low and front combination moves towards New Zealand from the west. Showers in the west turn to rain late afternoon / evening, possibly heavy with thunderstorms, especially in the western North Island. Any early showers clear eastern regions, then expect some sun, however cloud and showers move in later in the day. Southland and Otago stay mainly dry.

Areas of cloud with the odd shower, late afternoon or evening rain moves in with heavy falls and thunderstorms possible. Increasing northwesterly winds.

Highs: 17-21

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Early rain eases to showers, then picking up again in the afternoon turning back to rain, possibly heavy with thunderstorms. Winds gusty from the west or northwest.

Highs: 15-17

Eastern North Island

Sunny areas and thickening high cloud after any early showers clear, a few areas of rain spread from the west late afternoon / evening. Breezy northwesterly winds.

Highs: 19-20

Wellington

Any early showers clear, then expect sunny areas and increasing cloud with northwesterly winds, evening rain.

High: 14

Marlborough & Nelson

Mostly sunny, late afternoon or evening cloud thickens and rain moves in. Light winds mostly, tending to the north in the afternoon.

High: 13-14

Canterbury

Any early showers clear, then sunny areas develop. Later in the evening cloud thickens with some rain, light winds.

High: 11

West Coast

Sunny areas and increasing cloud with east to northeast winds in the afternoon, some rain moves in afternoon / evening. Fiordland stays mainly dry.

Highs: 11-13

Southland & Otago

Any early showers clear, otherwise mostly sunny. Light winds.

Highs: 7-12

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz