Wet weather on way

Yasmin Robertson, left, 10, and 8-year-old Sienna Lindsay-Bishop take a dip at Devonport's North Head. Photo / Dean Purcell

Rain forecast tomorrow but sunshine predicted to return later in week.

Wet weather and colder temperatures are on the cards for most of the country from today, but don't despair - sunshine and blue skies will be back by Wednesday.

Apart from a few showers affecting areas around Northland and Taranaki yesterday, it was fine for most of the country and Aucklanders took advantage of the sunshine and a high of 16C.

Today, more sunny skies are forecast for Auckland, with a high of 16C. However, the rain should settle in by tomorrow.

MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said a front that was moving north over New Zealand today and tomorrow would bring rain, before clearing the country on Wednesday.

"Most places will get wet weather with this front, but the second half of the week is looking mainly dry."

Today, rain would hit the South Island and lower North Island, with heaviest falls forecast for western areas, he said.

A cold southerly change behind the front was also expected to bring brief snow to 400m in parts of Southland and Otago.

Tomorrow would be the wettest day for the North Island, while the rain gradually cleared from most South Island places, Mr Glassey said.

Auckland was in for drizzle, and then eventually heavy rain tomorrow, with fresh northerlies.

Luckily the rain isn't set to stick around.

John Commissaris enjoys the sunshine. Photo / Dean Purcell

Mr Glassey said a ridge of high pressure would build over New Zealand during Wednesday and Thursday, clearing the rain from the North Island. However, rain was likely to return by the weekend.

Today's forecast
Whangarei: Mainly fine. Northerlies. H 17C L 11C
Auckland: Mainly fine. Northerlies. H 16C L 11C
Tauranga: Cloudy, chance of showers. Northerlies developing. H 15C L 10C
Hamilton: Mainly fine, cloud increasing evening. Northerly breeze. H 16C L 7C
Wellington: Occasional rain in morning. Northerly strengthening. H 13C L 10C