Another wet weekend ahead for NZ

Another soaking is ahead for most of the country this weekend, with only the west coast of the South Island escaping the deluge.

Rain is already settling around Auckland this afternoon, with occasional "rumbles of thunder'' expected before the downpour begins later in the day, MetService media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett said.

"That's the first band of rain and the lowest hits west and then it almost just does a back somersault and turns around. Then the centre of the low comes across Auckland tomorrow.

"Through Saturday, the weather over the northern half of the North Island is expected to be showery, with thunderstorms and some heavy falls of rain possible,'' he said.

It was the third weekend in a row a low had passed over the northern half of the North Island.

Easterly rain was expected for eastern areas from Gisborne to Wairarapa.

"Wellington is a bit yucky - it's a movie day on Saturday.''

In the South Island, Malborough and Kaikoura were expected to be some of the wetter places this weekend.

A severe weather warning had been issued for the Kaikoura Ranges, which could expect easterly rain approaching warning criteria of 100mm or more in 24 hours during Saturday and into Sunday morning.

Christchurch would see occasional ``drab and deary'' rain on Saturday and Dunedin could expect some cloud and drizzle throughout the weekend.

"In contrast, the West Coast of the South Island can expect generally fine weather on Saturday and Sunday, with daytime highs into the mid teens,'' said Mr Corbett.

Weatherwatch weather analyst Phillip Duncan the weekend's low would not be "too severe''.

"It's not a major system, it's just another cloudy, wet weekend for some people.''

The wet weather was expected to ease in most places on Sunday.