Weather: 'Weekend of two halves' on the way

Auckland's weather is forecast to improve on Sunday. Photo / File

Rain is likely for most of the country tomorrow before high pressure will bring sunshine on Sunday, making for a weekend of "two halves", forecasters say.

MetService meteorologist John Law said it would be wet for the North Island on Saturday, before the weather began to clear into the afternoon.

"It is a weekend of two halves. It will be a wet start and there will perhaps be some early morning thunderstorms across the west side of the North Island tomorrow.

"There might even be some rain across the top of the south to start things off on Saturday."

Mr Law said high pressure would then build, bringing improved weather for those in Otago and Southland on Saturday.

"In towards Sunday this high pressure will spread across the country, and we should find some fine weather for the second half of the weekend."

Mr Law said those in areas from Taranaki to Waitomo were likely to see thunderstorms overnight and into tomorrow.

WeatherWatch analysts were also predicting thunderstorms for those in the north this weekend.

There was a moderate risk of thunderstorms in the Auckland area throughout the day on Saturday.

However, if it remained overcast on Saturday, the chance of thunderstorms would be reduced, WeatherWatch analysts said.

Looking ahead to Monday, Mr Law said rain would "make its way back" up the country, starting in the west of the South Island.

For those in the North Island, Monday would be mainly fine, with a chance of some showers.

Weekend forecast

Whangarei
Saturday: Rain, chance heavy, to showers morning. Southwesterly change. High 21C Low 12C

Sunday: Long fine spells. Southerly breeze tending easterly. High 22C Low 13C

Monday: Fine spells, chance of a shower. Easterly breeze. High 23C Low 13C

Auckland
Saturday: Rain, turns to showers morning. Chance thunderstorm. Southwesterlies. High 20C Low 10C

Sunday: Long fine spells. Southerly breeze tending easterly. High 21C Low 12C

Monday: Fine spells, chance of a shower. Easterly breeze. High 22C Low 13C

Wellington
Saturday: Heavy rain, to showers morning. Strong southerly change. High 15C Low 10C

Sunday: Brief early rain then mainly fine. Northerly developing. High 18C Low 14C

Monday: Fine spells, shower or two. Northerlies dying later. High 18C Low 11C

Christchurch
Saturday: Occasional morning rain, then fine spells. Southerly dies out. High 15C Low 3C

Sunday: Mainly fine. Northeasterlies. High 19C Low 7C

Monday: Cloud increasing, late rain. Southerlies for a time. High 18C Low 8C

(Source: MetService)