WeatherWatch is forecasting a southwesterly airflow lying over New Zealand today with a cold front pushing over the North Island.

"Showers this morning for the upper North Island turning to rain as a cold front moves through, easing from afternoon then remaining showers clear this evening," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

"The Bay of Plenty may stay dry all day though. Showers for Wairarapa clear this afternoon, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne stay mainly dry with some afternoon cloud, clearing evening.

"Some rain in the southwest this morning - Taranaki especially, possibly heavy with thunderstorms and hail then easing and clearing this afternoon with sun breaking through."

"Some cloud may build in the west overnight, Taranaki through to Northland.

For the South Island, any showers for the upper South Island are expected to clear this morning.

"Then becoming sunny," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson. "Elsewhere has mainly sunny weather apart from Southland and southern Fiordland which have cloud and occasional showers with gusty westerlies.

"Cloud builds for the West Coast overnight with the odd shower moving in. A frosty start for some areas - especially inland - then again overnight."