Weather forecast: A wet Team NZ America's Cup parade

Fans wanting to welcome the victorious Team New Zealand at the America's Cup victory parade in Auckland are being advised to bring their raincoats.

Meteorologists are predicting periods of rain, possibly heavy, as Team NZ, who reclaimed the most coveted trophy by beating defenders Team USA, parade down Queen St towards the waterfront and onto the Viaduct Basin from 12.30pm.

According to the MetService, the rain would ease to a few showers in the morning, but will be returning in the afternoon.

Across the country, MetService meteorologist Brian Mercer is describing today's weather as a "tale of two islands".

Heavy rain is expected to hit the upper North Island, and frosts and a few cold and chilly nights are in the bag for the south.

Police are asking drivers to be prepared for black ice on the roads in Otago and Southland, and to exercise "extreme caution".

Temperatures in the region were as low as -4C overnight.

In the north, the wet weather would likely continue through to tomorrow, moving through the Coromandel, Waikato and the central-North Island.

State Highways - Warnings & Closures

• SH6 Haast to Wanaka - Warning for ice.
• SH6 Kawerau Gorge to Lowther - Warning for ice.
• SH6 Mossburn to Queenstown - Warning for ice.
• SH94 Te Anau to Milford - Warning for black ice.
• SH90 Raes Junction to Willowbank - Snow and ice. Road users are advised to take extra care.
• SH80 Aoraki Mt Cook to Ben Ohau - Snow and Ice. Road users are advised to take extra care.
• SH1 Hundalee to Kaikoura - Slips. The road south of Kaikoura between Peketa and Goose Bay is closed.

WeatherWatch analyst Aaron Wilkinson said today's warmest temperatures will be in Northland, where highs of between 13-18C are expected.

Wellington can expect a shower or two this morning, and southeasterly winds.

For Canterbury, there will be sunny areas inland and cloudier skies on the coastal fringes, with cloud thickening in the evening.

Despite the wet forecast, Wilkinson said Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty could also have some sun.

"Rain offshore may drift into the Auckland region during the afternoon then move further south into the Waikato and Bay of Plenty," he said.

"Light norhwesterly winds Auckland northwards, easterlies further south."

Another front is expected to bring more rain on Saturday.