A southerly airflow lies over most of New Zealand today with heavy rain for eastern regions and drier weather for the most part in the west, says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

"The far south and West Coast has good weather today; later this evening or overnight rain pushes into coastal Otago."

MetService has issued a Severe Weather Watch for Marlborough and Canterbury, with a heavy rain warning in place for those two regions.

"A slow-moving low east of New Zealand directs a moist easterly flow over the South Island, bringing heavy rain to Marlborough and Canterbury, with snow above 500 metres for a time today," says a MetService spokesperson.

For Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, WeatherWatch is forecasting a partly cloudy day with rain possible from late afternoon or evening about northern Northland. Gusty southeasterlies will be easing, and highs for these regions today will be between 14-17 degrees Celsius.

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Mostly cloudy, the morning may be mainly dry with the odd shower from afternoon. Strong southeasterlies with coastal gales then easing from afternoon.
Highs: 9 – 14

Eastern North Island
Rain, heavy falls at times, easing in the evening. Gusty southeasterlies ease later in the day.
Highs: 12 – 14

Wellington
Showers, rain from late afternoon or evening. Strong southeasterlies with gales through Cook Strait, easing later in the day.
Highs: 11 – 12

Marlborough & Nelson
Showers for Marlborough, turning to rain around midday, rain becomes heavy for southern Marlborough. Nelson sees showers in the evening spreading from the east. Strong southeasterly winds, gales about various headlands then easing from afternoon.
Highs: 10 – 14

Canterbury
Cloudy, rain north of Banks Peninsula becomes heavy in the afternoon. Rain spreads south into mid then south Canterbury during the afternoon, perhaps heavy there later in the day or overnight. Southerlies freshen.
Highs: 7 – 10

West Coast
Sunny, cloud thickens later in the day for North Westland and Buller especially, late showers spread from the east. Breezy southeasterly winds.
Highs: 10 – 14

Southland & Otago
Mostly sunny, some high cloud. Later in the evening or overnight rain moves into coastal Otago. East to northeasterly winds.
Highs: 7 – 10

Watches no longer in Force

The Strong Wind Watch has been lifted for Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Taihape, Whanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti: Winds have eased, and the Watch has been lifted.

The Strong Wind Watch has been lifted for Bay of Plenty southeast of Whakatane: Winds have eased, and the Watch has been lifted.

The Heavy Rain Watch has been lifted for The Wairoa District and the ranges of Hawke's Bay: Rain is easing, and the Watch has been lifted.

The Strong Wind Watch has been lifted for Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman, Buller, and Westland north of Harihari: Winds are easing, and the Watch has been lifted.