A fairly vigorous cold front pushes northwards over the South Island today bringing in a decent temperature drop, strong winds and rain, also some snow in the ranges. The front moves over the North Island later this afternoon / evening and overnight.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Cloudy spells with the chance of a shower or two, southwesterly winds. Overnight showers pick up for a time as winds change southeast.
Highs: 21-23

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Partly cloudy, rain develops late afternoon as northwesterlies change southerly, there could be a heavy fall with some thunder then easing overnight.
Highs: 15-20

Eastern North Island
Mostly sunny and warm, early afternoon northwesterlies change gusty southwest for Wairarapa bringing rain, moving further northwards late afternoon or evening. Rain may be heavy with thunder then easing overnight.
Highs: 21-25

Wellington
Partly cloudy, early afternoon northwesterlies change strong southerly (gales through Cook Strait likely) bringing rain, easing to showers in the evening.
Highs: 19-21

Marlborough & Nelson
A dry morning with sun and warm temperatures, around midday a blustery southerly change moves through bringing rain, clearing overnight.
Highs: 19-21

Canterbury
Showers turn to rain this morning with strong southwesterlies gale about the coast pushing northwards first thing, showers may be heavy at times with hail this afternoon then easing later this evening. Winds easing back a touch this afternoon but still quite gusty for the rest of the day. Snow to 500m in the ranges.
Highs: 12-19

West Coast
Sun breaks through for Fiordland in the morning. Further north expect rain with a few heavy falls first thing, perhaps some thunder then clearing to sun in the afternoon as southwesterlies tend southeast.
Highs: 16-18

Southland & Otago
Morning rain eases to showers, snow in the ranges to 400m. Fresh cool southwesterlies, strong about coastal Otago but these winds ease later.
Highs: 12-14