Expect a strong northwesterly airflow over the South Island and lower North Island today bringing gales about Cook Strait and some eastern parts of the South Island. Rain on the West Coast. For the North Island eastern regions are warm with northwesterlies, out west has areas of cloud with some drizzle in the southwest.

Auckland & Northland
Sunny spells and areas of cloud with northwesterly breezes.
Highs: 19-20

Bay Of Plenty, Waikato & Central North Island
Cloudy spells with northwesterly winds, any morning drizzle about the Waikato and Central North Island clears. The Bay Of Plenty can expect sunny areas about during the day.
Highs: 17-21

Eastern North Island
Mostly sunny with any early spots of rain clearing, some high cloud. Northwesterly winds gusty about Wairarapa.
Highs: 21-25

Western North Island
Fairly cloudy with northwesterly winds, breezy at times from afternoon. The odd drizzle patch about Kapiti and northern Taranaki.
High: 17-20

Wellington
Cloudy with patchy rain or drizzle. Rain more persistent in the evening for a time. Strong northerlies rising to gale force from afternoon.
High: 16

Nelson
Cloudy with periods of rain, especially afternoon. Morning rain will be patchy with dry spells about. Gusty north to northwesterly winds.
High: 17

Marlborough
Northwesterlies increase during the morning becoming strong by midday, gusts to gale force are possible from afternoon. Periods of cloud with the odd brief shower spreading from the west now and then.
Highs: 19-21

Canterbury
Early morning rain, clearing then becoming mostly sunny. Strong gusty northwesterlies in the afternoon which may gust to gale about exposed inland areas.
Highs: 23-24

West Coast
Heavy rain in the morning, possibly with some lightning. Easing in the afternoon to showers. Rain picks up again overnight. Breezy northerlies.
High: 15

Coastal Otago
Early morning rain clears then expect sunny weather with gusty north to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 23-24

Southland & Central Otago
Early morning rain clears then expect mostly sunny weather, northerlies tend northwest by midday.
Highs: 18-22

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson - WeatherWatch.co.nz