KEY POINTS:
There's a sprinkling of rain on the way for the garden in some areas of the country this weekend but the sun will shine for Auckland's Santa Parade, Metservice said this afternoon.
Forecaster Bob McDavitt said that for the East Coast between the Bay of Plenty and Central Otago there will be some welcome rain.
"Some places haven't seen any rain for eight to nine days and it's been a bit below normal for November. There's only been three wet days," Mr McDavitt said.
He said as long as the wet easterlies get between the highs, the eastern areas should be able to cope and it will be better than last year's dry period brought on by El Nino.
Auckland, which has been enjoying blue skies for the past week, is in for a burst of rain on Saturday but the return of fine weather on Sunday for the annual Santa Parade.
In parts of the South Island temperatures soared into the high twenties earlier in the week but there is a heavy rainfall watch today in Fiordland and Westland.
"Some of that will spill over into Central Otago in the next few days," Mr McDavitt said.
He said that should put a temporary end to the high temperatures.
Mr McDavitt said we are now moving into summer and UV levels are starting to climb.
"In some parts of the country you can read your newspaper by daylight at 10pm at night, in Invercargill," he said.
