Of the main centres today, Auckland was forecast to be the warmest, with a high of 18 degrees expected. Rain wasn't forecast for the city till Wednesday.
Meanwhile in the capital, Wellington was forecast to be slightly cooler, with a high of 15 degrees and a few evening showers today.
Christchurch was a little warmer, with a high of 16 degrees, and high cloud expected to increase before giving way to rain on Wednesday.
A severe weather watch has been issued for Westland and Fiordland with heavy rain expected for the ranges of South Westland and Northern Fiordland today.
MetService said heavy rainfall for a period was expected in the ranges between Franz Josef and Milford Sound from late this morning to Monday evening.
Three-day weather forecast:
Auckland:
• Today: Fine spells, northeasterlies develop
H: 18C L:13C
• Tuesday: Cloudy periods, odd shower possible. Northeast winds
H: 18C L: 15C
• Wednesday: Rain, heavy at times. Strong northerlies easing later.
H: 19C L: 14C
Wellington
• Today: Cloudy periods, few evening showers. Northerlies
• Tuesday: Fine with increasing high cloud. Northerlies
H: 16C L: 14C
• Wednesday: Rain developing, easing later. Northerlies easing
H: 17C L: 13C
Christchurch
• Today: High cloud. Northeasterlies, fresh in the morning
H: 16C L: 9C
• Tuesday: High cloud increasing. Strengthening northeasterlies
H: 17C L: 11C
• Wednesday: High cloud, early light rain. Northeasterlies easing
H: 19C L: 9C