A burst of subtropical rain and showers will kick off Friday night and Saturday but in autumnal change across Saturday or Sunday will see sunnier weather returning but with a few showers here - also there is a slight drop in temperatures. Next week a large high is rolling in settling the weather down in most places by Tuesday
It's going to be a wild, wet and windy start to the weekend for many around the country as a burst of subtropical rain and showers cross the country.
MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the north and west of the country, including Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Westland.
The heaviest rain is expected about northwest of Nelson and Mount Taranaki.
Rainfall is predicted to reach warning criteria in a number of areas, of up more than 80mm falling within 15 hours in some parts.
However, WeatherWatch is predicting the worst of the stormy weather is expected to ease throughout today, bringing slightly cooler, but patches of sunny weather by Sunday.
WeatherWatch head analyst Phillip Duncan said even with the rain temperatures would be quite warm, in particular around the North Island, till the autumnal weather kicked in.
He said temperatures would be around the mid-20s, which could feel like 30degrees once the sun came out.
"It's a little surprising for April, but that's the set-up."
While the sun was expected to start to peek through on Sunday, it wasn't till Tuesday that Mr Duncan predicted it would be out in force.
MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the north and west of the country, including Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Westland. Photo / Doug Sherring
Today's forecast
Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay Of Plenty
Showers, some may be heavy with possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. Northerly winds change westerly later in the evening or overnight. Highs: 23-27
Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Rain, heavy in the morning with a chance of thunder then easing to showers by midday which clear later in the evening, northerly winds change westerly later in the day. Highs: 20-23
Eastern North Island
Areas of high cloud, the odd spot of rain at times with long dry periods too. Wairarapa may see a period of morning rain clearing then another spell passing over from the west in the afternoon. Winds from the north. Highs: 24-25
Wellington
Morning showers or areas of rain ease then clear, afternoon sunny areas. Northerly winds. High: 21
Any early showers clear the sunny areas develop with light northerly winds, late afternoon / evening there may be an isolated shower inland otherwise dry. Highs: 21-23
Canterbury
A few morning showers clear then sunny areas develop, easterly winds. Late afternoon / evening there may be an isolated shower develop, mainly inland but possible near the coast also. High: 22
West Coast
Mostly cloudy with showers, more so about North Westland but South Westland still seeing showers at times. Light northerlies. Highs: 20-22
Mostly sunny with light winds, some cloud towards evening with the low risk of an isolated shower. Coastal Otago has morning cloud break to mostly sunny conditions. Highs: 21-22
