Waikato dairy farmers may be the only people grateful for Saturday's weather, a MetService meteorologist says.
A front moving up the country would bring wind and rain to much of the North Island, MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said.
Meanwhile, the South Island could expect showers and possible thunderstorms.
"Farmers will like the weather, particularly in the North Island," he said.
"There'll be a fair amount of wet weather across the island, which farmers in areas like the Waikato will be very thankful for as it's been fairly dry there.
"There'll be some rain in much of the South Island as well, with particularly heavy falls on the West Coast."
The front has already brought heavy rain to the central part of the North Island and strong winds in some areas. Winds of up to 120 kmh were recorded in the Wellington region today.
"That will drift north tomorrow bringing cloudy and patchy weather, and strong west to northwest winds across the Auckland region," Mr Kerr said.
Conditions would improve on Sunday as the front continued to move, he said.
"Winds will still be around on Sunday but they should be lighter for the most part. Some parts of the country should have fairly sunny days."
WeatherWatch.co.nz was expecting rain to ease this evening, as gusty northwesterly winds swung to the southwest.
Rain would move into the west of the North Island later in the evening and overnight from Auckland southwards, possibly bringing a heavy fall or two, according to WeatherWatch.
WeatherWatch's head meteorologist Philip Duncan said a narrow vein of rain would then spread across the North Island on Saturday bringing showers and drizzle patches to the north and south of it.
"This front slides across the North Island with a few isolated heavy downpours," he said.
Mr Duncan expected conditions to mostly clear overnight on Saturday bringing drier and cooler weather in many parts of the country.
The West Coast of the South Island would remain showery all weekend, however.
There might be a few "spits" in Canterbury but not much, Mr Duncan said.
Main centres forecast
Dunedin: Few showers Saturday morning with possibility of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. High of 14C. Southerlies on Sunday and a few showers. High of 16C.
Auckland: Cloudy and patchy on Sunday with strong westerly winds. High of 20C. Patchy on Sunday with lighter winds. High of 19C.
Hamilton: Heavy rainfalls Saturday afternoon. Wind settles down. High of 18C. Showers Sunday morning and cooler temperatures. High of 20C.
Wellington: Fresh northerlies on Saturday. High of 18C. Chance of shower in the northern part of the region on Sunday. High of 19C.
Christchurch: Few showers Saturday morning with possibility of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. High of 17C. Mostly fine on Sunday. High of 19C.
