"However, we expect it to get across all other parts of the upper North Island, and lesser amounts further south."
During the afternoon and evening, two fronts were expected to move eastwards across the North Island with bands of rain and possible thunderstorms.
There was a moderate risk of thunderstorms about Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf, Waikato, western Waitomo and possibly northern Taranaki during the afternoon or early evening.
These thunderstorms would be accompanied by localised heavy rain or 10-20mm/h and small hail.
The South Island would escape most of the wet weather today, with just some showers in the west and north.
Temperatures overnight were relatively warm, but Hamilton and Christchurch both had some thick fog in the early hours.
Tomorrow the front would move off the North Island and weaken, bringing more settled weather.
Saturday was looking like the day of the weekend for the North Island, with mostly fine and settled weather, before a front arrived from the South Island on Sunday bringing rain and showers to most places.
On Friday a moist northerly flow would strengthen over the South Island ahead of the front arriving Saturday.
On Friday and Saturday there was potential for severe northwest gales over parts of Fiordland, Southland and Otago.
On Saturday these gales could affect the Canterbury High Country, coastal parts of Canterbury, and Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa.
There was also a high chance of heavy rain Saturday about Fiordland and Westland, and also over Buller and northwest Nelson.
On Sunday the front should weaken over the North Island, but cold westerlies could briefly bring snow showers to 500m in the lower South Island.
There was potential for periods of rain in the North Island on Sunday, mostly concentrated from Taranaki through the high country to Taupō, Glassey said.
On Monday, a ridge of high pressure was expected to move onto the South Island, bringing more settled weather.
Today's weather
Whangārei
Fine at first then occasional rain from afternoon, clearing at night as northwest turns southwest. 18C high, 7C overnight.
Auckland
Isolated showers until midday, then occasional rain with hail and possible thunderstorms, easing at night as northwest tends southwest. 16C high, 9C overnight.
Hamilton
Occasional rain, possibly heavy with hail after midday, easing at night. Northerlies dying out evening. 14C high, 6C overnight.
Tauranga
Occasional rain developing in the morning, easing overnight. Light winds. 15C high, 7C overnight.
New Plymouth Cloud increasing. Occasional rain from afternoon, easing at night. Northerlies turning westerly evening. 14C high, 7C overnight.
Napier Fine at first. Cloudy periods from afternoon. Light winds. 15C high, 3C overnight.
Wellington Mainly fine, but a few showers in the north from afternoon. Northerlies. 13C high, 9C overnight.
Nelson Fine at first, then partly cloudy and a shower or two. Northerly breezes. 13C high, 2C overnight.
Christchurch Fine with northerlies. 12C high, 0C overnight.
Dunedin Fine. Northerlies dying out late afternoon. 13C high, 5C overnight.
