Foul weather set to ease by this afternoon

A wet and blustery day is in store for much of New Zealand. Photo / iStock

A wet and blustery day is in store as strong winds bring showers to much of the country.

MetService meteorologist Peter Little said Auckland will be hit with a southwesterly wind and showers today.

"That southwesterly flow will initially be strong this morning, but will ease off as the day goes on."

Fine spells will increase this afternoon in the northern region.

"It will also bring showers to the eastern part of the country, but they should just miss Wellington."

The rain will be confined to coastal Wairarapa this afternoon and will become fine as the day goes on.

Further south, the Canterbury region will experience rain about Banks Peninsula, but most parts of Christchurch will avoid it.

"It should stay fine in the city, but there will be quite strong southwesterly winds."

Dunedin will have the odd shower which will clear by the afternoon.

Little said temperatures will be slightly colder this week, with Auckland set to reach a high of 15C.

"Temperatures aren't particularly cold, but it'll be cooler than it has been.

"There'll be a slightly improving trend as the southwesterly wears off, but another is predicted for the end of the week."

Wellington will have a high of 11C, with Christchurch reaching 10C and Dunedin 11C.