Weekend weather: It's set to be a stunner

It's set to be a stunner of a weekend. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today Photograph by Duncan Brown.

It's set to be a stunner of a weekend - and clear skies should mean a breathtaking sunrise for Auckland Marathon runners as well as silver fern-clad Kiwis watching the final moments of the World Cup match on Sunday.

Forecasters say a ridge spreading over the country means today's lingering showers should largely clear by tonight.

Metservice meteorologist Tom Adams said the only place that might hold on to the rain a little longer was parts of Southland.

"For the bulk of the population it's looking like a great weekend," he said.

"With the Auckland Marathon on Sunday, we're currently for Auckland saying fine weather with a few cloudy periods in the west...but it's worth checking those things before you put your running shoes on and head out."

Wet weather has been seen throughout most of the country this week, with the Tararua Ranges getting 130mm of rain in the 24 hours to midnight Thursday.

Christchurch also saw 5mm accumulate - which is more than the region has seen throughout the rest of October, Mr Adams said.

Showers should become isolated and clear today, with no warnings in place, he said.

But the settled weekend weather would not last forever, with a "significant" trough moving onto the South Island on Monday and spreading up the North Island on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Adams said rain could become heavy in Fiordland and gales were possible in Southland on Monday.

"That will bring some fairly reasonable rain for some areas but it's too far out to say exactly where. The models are looking quite consistent on it. It's the next feature," he said.

Temperatures are expected to dip slightly as southerlies move up the country but next week should see a warming trend as northwesterlies move in, he said.

"There's a good southerly moving up the country and temperatures are feeling a bit colder behind that. Tonight and tomorrow night...temperatures for trick-or-treaters might get below freezing for a couple of places in the south.

"It won't feel too cold during the day, particularly if you're out of the wind because there'll be some good sunshine but definitely overnight the temperatures will be a bit chilly and there's a chance of a few frosts in the central South Island."

WeatherWatch forecasters said a band of rain stretching across the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and the East Cape on Friday were gradually easing and clearing to the north.

A few lingering coastal showers would stick around on Saturday but dry out towards the evening, WeatherWatch said.

"Sunday looks even drier as a ridge of high pressure crosses all of New Zealand to kick off November 1," WeatherWatch said.

Weather outlook:

Whangarei: Fine spells and showers today. High 18C, low 9C. A fine spring day on Saturday with southwest breezes. High 18C, low 9C.

Auckland: Today, fine spells and showers with winds. High 18C, low 10C. Saturday will see long fine spells. High 17C, low 11C.

Hamilton: Increasing fine spells today with a chance of showers. High 18C, low 5C. Tomorrow, a fine spring day with breezes. High 17C, low 6C.

Tauranga: Becoming fine in the afternoon, with winds dying away. High 18C, low 7C. Blue skies and sunshine for Saturday with gentle breezes. High 18C, low 8C.

Wellington: Fine day with fresh southerlies dying away. High 12C, low 8C. Sunny on Saturday with a few clouds. High 15C, low 8C.

Christchurch: Today is fine with light winds. High 15C, low 2C. Tomorrow, another fine day with morning frosts. High 17C, low 7C.

Dunedin: Cloudy periods and the chance of shower today. High 12C, low 7C. Mostly fine tomorrow with the odd shower. High 14C, low 8C.