A spell of wet and windy weather is due to close out the school holidays, with a complex trough moving north across the country and bringing heavy rain to some regions over the weekend.
MetService meteorologist John Law told Breakfast while conditions were looking "pretty good" across much of the North Island today, rain was already pushing onto the South Island.
"Down south, rain is already creeping on towards the South Island, with some pretty heavy spells as well — especially up that western coast," Law said.
"There's also the chance of some thunderstorms, and ahead of that, some strong winds."
Heavy rain watches and warnings are in place for parts of the West Coast, while strong wind watches have been issued for the Canterbury High Country.
The unsettled weather is expected to continue into the weekend, with rain spreading north on Saturday.
"Sadly, I think it's going to carry on its way northward," Law said.
"For Saturday, we're going to find that rainfall up towards the North Island, particularly heaviest on the western side. Saturday's going to be a pretty wet one."
Wet and blustery weather is set to affect much of the country as heavy rain and strong winds move from the South Island to the North Island, with Saturday shaping up as the wettest day. (Source: Breakfast)
Heavy rain warnings
Parts of Taranaki and the King Country were under an orange-level heavy rain warning, with rainfall likely to exceed 110mm about Taranaki Maunga.
As the system clears the South Island, some regions would see more of the sky emerge from the clouds.
"It will be pulling away from the south side, so some dry weather for the afternoon through Canterbury," Law said.
Conditions were forecast to improve further on Sunday, although showers might linger.
"Sunday looks to be perhaps the better of the two days," he said.
"The rain clears away towards the north, but we'll find more showers pushing back in."
Despite recent cold nights and snowfall in parts of the country, daytime temperatures were expected to remain relatively mild over the next few days.
"We have seen those real cold nights — not unusual for the time of year — but daytime temperatures over the next few days are pretty mild," Law said.
Night-time temperatures in the North Island were forecast to be unusually warm due to northwesterly winds.
"Night-time lows in the North Island of 15 to 16C — very mild indeed," he said.
Cooler air is expected to move in early next week, with a noticeable drop in daytime temperatures.
"By Monday, places like Christchurch will be around 11C to 12C, so it will be feeling a fair bit cooler there," Law said.
In Auckland, all sorts of weather was expected, particularly with a big weekend of sport.
"We've got a real mix," Law said.
"Tonight looks pretty good for the Blues game, but tomorrow night you're going to need those raincoats, it's looking pretty wet for the Warriors."
He said conditions were expected to improve again by Sunday.
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Taranaki north of about Etham, also the King Country - 18 hours from 11am Saturday to 5am Sunday
Buller and Grey Districts - 18 hours from 5pm Friday to 11am Saturday
Headwaters of the Canterbury Lakes and Rivers - 16 hours from 2pm Friday to 6am Saturday
Ranges of the Westland District - 15 hours from 12pm Friday to 3am to Saturday
Heavy Rain Watch
Northern and eastern parts of Northland north of Whangarei - 8 hours from 9pm Saturday to 5am Sunday
Tasman northwest of Motueka - 12 hours from 3am to 3pm Saturday
The Tararua Range, also the Kapiti Coast and parts of Wellington north of Porirua - 16 hours from 10am Saturday to 2am Sunday
Richmond and Bryant Ranges - 12 hours from 3am to 3pm Saturday
Headwaters of the Otago Lakes and Rivers - 11 hours from 10am to 9pm Friday
Strong Wind Watch
Canterbury High Country - 15 hours from 2pm Friday to 5am Saturday.
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