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 crosses 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 northwest of Nelson and Mount Taranaki.
Rainfall is predicted to reach warning criteria in a number of areas, with 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 the day, bringing slightly cooler weather, with fine spells, by Sunday.
WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said even with the rain, temperatures would be quite warm, particularly around the North Island, until more typical autumnal weather kicks in.
He said temperatures would be around the mid-20s, and could feel like 30degC once the sun came out.
"It's a little surprising for April, but that's the set-up."
While the sun was expected to peek through on Sunday, Mr Duncan said it wouldn't be out in full force until Tuesday.
Today's forecast
Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty: Showers, some heavy with possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. Northerly winds changing to westerlies 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, clearing later in the evening. Northerly winds changing to westerlies later in the day. Highs: 20-23
Eastern North Island: Areas of high cloud, the odd spot of rain 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 easing to clear, sunny skies in the afternoon. Northerly winds. High: 21
Marlborough and Nelson: Any early showers clearing and sunny areas developing with light northerly winds. Isolated showers inland in the evening but otherwise dry. Highs: 21-23
Canterbury: A few morning showers clearing then sunny areas developing with easterly winds. In the evening, isolated showers may develop inland but are possible near the coast as well. 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
Southland and Otago: Mostly sunny with light winds, some cloud towards evening with the low risk of an isolated shower. Morning cloud will break to mostly sunny conditions in coastal Otago. Highs: 21-22
Sourced from www.weatherwatch.co.nz
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