A strengthening northwesterly airflow builds over New Zealand today with a cold front moving onto the lower South Island this afternoon, reaching the lower North Island overnight.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Some morning sun then cloud increases from midday, chance of a light shower or two from afternoon about the Waikato. Light winds tend westerly.
Highs: 15-18

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Mostly sunny then cloud increases from afternoon bringing the risk of a light shower or two, west to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 14-17

Eastern North Island
Sunny, evening high cloud. Light winds for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, northwesterlies about Wairarapa.
Highs: 17-18

Wellington
A mix of sun and cloud, cloud thickens in the evening then some rain moves through overnight. Northwesterly winds increase.
High: 16

Marlborough & Nelson
Mostly sunny with increasing high cloud, northwesterly winds pick up a little in the afternoon. Overnight spots of rain.
High: 16-18

Canterbury
Increasing high cloud with north to northwesterly winds, brief evening rain with a southwest change.
Highs: 16-18

West Coast
Showers, heavy rain about South Westland spreads into North Westland during the afternoon. Rain eases to showers overnight as northwesterlies change southwest.
Highs: 13-15

Southland & Otago
A dry morning with high cloud, early afternoon rain moves into Southland then late afternoon Otago as northwesterly winds change gusty westerly. Rain clears during the evening.
Highs: 15-17

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz