A front moves northwards over the South Island today, with strong northerly winds gusting to gale at times, especially in the east. Heavy rain on the West Coast. The North Island sees increasing high cloud. Rain moves into the west in the evening, becoming heavy overnight.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty

Sunny areas and thickening high cloud, with the odd shower from evening, then overnight rain, possibly heavy. North to northeasterly winds freshen during the day becoming strong later in the evening or overnight.

Highs: 15-17

Western North Island (including Central North Island)

Sunny areas and thickening high cloud about the Manawatu, Kapiti and Central North Island. Rain develops in the evening. Cloudy for Taranaki from morning, with the odd shower from afternoon turning to rain in the evening, then becoming heavy later. Rain becomes heavy for the Central North Island overnight also. Northerly winds strengthen, with winds gusting to gale from evening about coastal areas.

Highs: 11-15

Eastern North Island

Sunny areas and increasing high cloud. Northerly winds strengthen from evening, becoming strong overnight, possibly gusting to gale force. Some rain later in the evening / overnight also.

Highs: 15-16

Wellington

Windy with northerlies rising to gale in the afternoon. Some rain develops in the evening, becoming more persistent overnight.

High: 13

Marlborough & Nelson

Thick high cloud about Marlborough, with north to northwesterly winds rising to gale at times from midday. Rain moves in late afternoon / evening. Nelson sees strong northerlies from midday. Winds may rise to gale at times from evening, with patchy rain from morning becoming heavy in the evening before easing overnight.

Highs: 14-16

Canterbury

Strong northerlies, rising to gale at times, especially inland. Some ‘spillover rain’ is possible from the West Coast late afternoon / evening.

High: 15

West Coast

Heavy rain with possible thunderstorms, strong northerly winds, possibly gusting to gale at times, then tending gusty northwest overnight. Showers overnight may continue to be occasionally squally with the thunderstorm risk increasing.

Highs: 12-15

Southland & Otago

Sunny areas and some high cloud. A few spots of rain may spread from the west at times, mainly in the evening. Breezy northeasterlies tend more northwest in the afternoon, although not tending northwest about coastal Otago till overnight.

Highs: 12-15

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz