Most centres are in line for a mainly fine day today - including Wellington, which had a windy and wild day yesterday. Auckland, Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty could be in for a soaking, however, as a front tracks up the North Island.
Today, the front reactivates and a low develops. It was expected to change direction and move back down the North Island, bringing rain to northern areas and particularly heavy falls to the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges. Central areas will be on the rain radar by the afternoon.
The first week of August followed on from a relatively mild July for most of the country, according to Niwa's monthly climate summary.
Most parts of the country had well-below average rainfall last month and higher sunshine hours. It was particularly sunny in Marlborough, Central Otago and the Southern Lakes - with Alexandra clocking its lowest July rainfall since 1983.
After a particularly eventful June, July was a relatively settled month, Niwa said. The highest temperature of 21.2C was recorded in Christchurch on July 26, while people near Hanmer Springs shivered through the coldest temperature of -10.2C on July 12.
Of the six main centres, Auckland was the warmest and wettest, with an average temperature of 11C and "above normal" rainfall. Dunedin was the driest and cloudiest, Christchurch the coolest and Tauranga the sunniest.
The Outlook
Auckland
Today: Rain, high of 15C
Tomorrow: Rain, high of 16C
Wellington
Today: Cloud increases throughout the day and rain arrives at night, high of 12C
Tomorrow: Showers, high of 12C
Christchurch
Today: Fine, with morning frosts. An overnight low of -2C turns into a high of 13C
Tomorrow: Fine, high of 13C