A front moves northwards over the South Island today bringing rain and possible thunderstorms in the west, warm weather and high cloud out east. The North Island sees westerly winds with sunny areas and some cloud for most, strong northwesterlies for Wellington from afternoon.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Sunny areas and some cloud with westerly winds, tilting more to the northwest in the evening. The Bay Of Plenty can expect mostly sunny skies being more sheltered in the east.

Highs: 18-20

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Sunny areas and some cloud, breezy west to northwesterly winds. Later in the evening cloud thickens a little and there may be a shower or two move in in the west.

Highs: 16-18

Eastern North Island

Sunny and warm with west to northwest breezes, northwesterlies strengthen a little in the afternoon about the Wairarapa.

Highs: 20-22

Wellington

Sunny areas and increasing cloud with northwesterly winds, strong from afternoon with winds gusting to gale at times. A few spells of rain develop later in the evening.

High: 17

Marlborough & Nelson

Mostly sunny with high cloud increasing from afternoon, north to northwesterly winds become gusty by midday. Rain spreads into the Nelson / Sounds area in the evening and perhaps spreading into coastal Marlborough at times.

Highs: 16-20

Canterbury

Mostly sunny with some increasing high cloud, northerly winds increase too. Winds tend more northwest this afternoon (and becoming strong for a time especially inland) then high cloud clearing away in the evening.

Highs: 20-21

West Coast

Heavy rain about South Westland in the morning then moving into North Westland during the afternoon as a front pushes northwards. Thunderstorms are possible with heavy rain. Rain eases to showers behind the front as northerlies tend gusty northwest.

Highs: 15-16

Southland & Otago

A front passes through these regions during this morning then clears, expect cloudy skies with some rain then mostly clearing by midday (it may stay dry for coastal Otago) although far western parts of Central Otago and coastal Southland may still see some rain or a few showers for the rest of the day. Northerlies tend strong northwest around midday then sunny areas break through after the front moves off to the north.

Highs: 12-17

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz