A complex low pressure system forms over the country today, heavy rain is likely Canterbury southwards along the east coast and about the top of the South Island from midday. Showers for the most part elsewhere with one or two heavy falls possible in the afternoon mainly about the Bay Of Plenty and Taranaki.

Northland, Auckland & Waikato
Cloudy spells with the odd shower at times, northerly breezes. Northland may see long dry spells during the afternoon with perhaps a few peaks of sunshine making their way through.
Highs: 16-18

Central North Island, Bay Of Plenty
Mainly cloudy skies, showers at times with north to northwest breezes. The odd shower may be heavy and thundery from afternoon, mainly about eastern Bay Of Plenty.
Highs: 12-17

Eastern North Island
Mostly sunny with some high cloud, some rain may spill across into the Wairarapa from the west at times from afternoon. North to northwest winds.
High: 17-19

Western North Island
Mostly cloudy skies with northerly breezes, the odd shower at times till evening when showers become more persistent. For Taranaki especially in the north expect showers, heavy at times particularly afternoon onwards.
Highs: 15-17

Wellington
Cloudy skies with showers at times and northerly breezes.
Highs: 14-15

Marlborough & Nelson
Sunny spells to start about Marlborough with north to northwest winds. Around midday a period of rain moves over which may be heavy and possibly thundery especially about the Sounds, rain clears overnight. Nelson can expect mainly cloudy skies, the odd shower at times which could become heavy in the afternoon also then easing overnight. Light northerlies.
Highs: 14-16

Canterbury
Areas of heavy rain this morning for Mid and South Canterbury especially about the foothills, heavy rain may linger about the South Canterbury foothills till early afternoon. Rain clearing during the morning north of Banks Peninsula with sunny spells developing, rain south of Banks Peninsula clears during the afternoon with the possibility of a late sunny spell or two. South to southwest winds.
Highs: 12-13

West Coast
Rain north of the Glaciers eases by midday possibly clearing although the odd shower may still continue, a few sunny spells could even make an appearance at times after midday. Thick high cloud further south but mainly dry. Winds from the east or northeast.
Highs: 14-15

Southland & Otago
Brisk east to southeast winds. Scattered rain about Southland and Central Otago. Rain about coastal Otago, heavy at times.
Highs: 8-10

WeatherWatch.co.nz