Weekend weather: Remember your umbrella

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Rain will be hitting much of the country just in time for the weekend, the MetService says.

The high pressure system that brought fine weather for most of New Zealand during the week moved off to the east today and was being replaced by an area of low pressure, meteorologist Stephen Glassey said.

"This should see a change in the weather for many places this weekend."

A front associated with this low had already brought heavy rain to the west of the South Island, he said.

As that front moved onto the North Island it was expected to become slow-moving this weekend.

"This should bring some wet weather for many places this weekend, with the upper and central North Island, in particular, at risk of heavy rain," Mr Glassey said.

Over the South Island the wet weather should clear early on Sunday, but another front was set to sweep over the island Monday bringing a period of rain and a cooler southwest change.

This front should weaken as it moves onto the North Island on Tuesday, while another ridge of high pressure was expected to build over the South Island, Mr Glassey said.

Weekend forecast:

Whangarei

Tomorrow: Few showers, turning to rain morning. Northerlies. High 19C, low 13C;

Sunday: Rain, then showers. Southwesterlies developing. High 19C, low 10C.

Auckland

Tomorrow: Few showers, turning to rain morning. Northerly dying. High 17C, low 13C;

Sunday: Rain, then showers. Southwesterlies developing. High 18C, low 11C.

Tauranga

Tomorrow: Rain at times, more persistent afternoon. Northerlies. High 18C, low 13C;

Sunday: Rain, heavy falls possible. Northerlies. High 18C, low 11C.

Hamilton

Tomorrow: Periods of rain. Light winds. High 17C, low 10C;

Sunday: Rain easing to showers. Dying southwesterlies. High 19C, low 7C.

Wellington

Tomorrow: Fine spells, odd shower in the north. Dying northwesterly winds. High 16C, low 9C;

Sunday: Fine spells, chance early shower. Dying southerlies. High 14C, low 9C.

Christchurch

Tomorrow: Cloudy periods with a few showers. Southerlies. High 13C, low 7C;

Sunday: Morning drizzle, then fine. Freshening northeasterlies. High 13C, low 4C.

Dunedin

Tomorrow: Rain easing to few showers morning. Southerlies. High 11C, low 6C;

Sunday: Fine, late high cloud. Northerlies developing. High 15C, low 7C.