Sunny weekend with afternoon showers forecast

Showers and sunshine are forecast for many parts of the country this weekend says MetService. photo/ Warren Buckland.

After heavy rain up north last night, sunshine followed by afternoon showers are in store for many parts of the country this weekend.

Heavy showers and lightning in parts of Auckland, Northland and the Waikato last night made way for lighter rain this morning as a southwesterly flow makes its way across both islands.

"We're stuck in this southwesterly flow for the next few days," said MetService meteorologist Emma Blades.

"There's still some showers around but they'll ease off during the day."

The southwesterly meant conditions would be "chilly but sunny" with highs of around 13C for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

In Auckland while the rain had eased, gusts of up to 50km/h were still set to blow through, Blades said.

A pine tree has fallen down on the 11th at the Takapuna Golf Course. Photo/Dean Purcell

Wellington was looking sunny today and tomorrow morning before showers were forecast to come through in the afternoon.

It was the same story in Christchurch, Blades said, with the city's weekend off to a chilly start after getting to freezing temperatures overnight.

Temperatures were still down to just 4C at the moment but should warm up as the day wore on.

Around the country temperatures were "not too bad" for this time of year said Blades.

"It's a southwersterly flow so it will feel colder because there will be quite fresh winds.

"The wind chill will that down by quite a few degrees."