Wet weekend on the way

Brace for a weekend indoors with rain and strong winds forecast for much of the country.

After a relatively fine day today, the weather is expected to pack in tomorrow.

WeatherWatch says a storm system will be moving in from the Southern Ocean, with heavy spells of rain and stormy conditions forecast for the western North Island, Waikato, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Northland.

Gale force northwest winds are predicted through Cook Strait, and strong winds for the west of the North Island.

On Saturday, winds from the southwest in the South Island and northwest in the North Island from morning are expected.

There are showers expected for almost the entire North Island, and most of the South Island at times through the day.

But temperatures will still remain in the low 20s in Auckland, and the Bay of Plenty, and the high teens in the Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch.

Today, MetService duty forecaster Claire Flynn said a strong westerly flow over New Zealand will bring a mix of showers and sunshine.

"Places in the west are looking to get showers but in the east it will be mainly fine," she says.

But there is a risk of thunderstorms for western Waikato to Wanganui.

"Not thunderstorms like yesterday but a moderate risk that they could see thunder there," Ms Flynn said.

A strong wind warning remains for Hawkes Bay south of Napier to the Tararua District where westerly winds could reach gales of up to 140km/h.

Auckland can expect a cloudy day with showers throughout the day and a high of 19degC.

Wellington is in for a mostly fine day with a little bit of high cloud and gusty northwesterly winds.

The temperature is expected to reach 17degC.

Christchurch and Dunedin are both in for a sunny day with west to north-west winds.

MetService has issued a strong wind watch for coastal Southland and Dunedin for this morning.

Christchurch is forecast to reach 17degC and Dunedin a slightly cooler 13degC.

Ms Flynn says the next few days are far from flash with a low pressure system set to move in tomorrow bringing rain at times for all of New Zealand over the next two days.

Auckland

Today: Cloudy with isolated showers becoming widespread overnight and strong winds. 20

Tomorrow: Rain with heavy falls and strong winds. 21

Saturday: Showers, some heavy and gales in exposed places. 18

Bay of Plenty

Today: Cloudy with showers in the ranges after lunch. Westerly winds. 20

Tomorrow: Rain, heavy later in the day. Strong northwest winds 20

Saturday: Rain with heavy falls but clearing overnight and winds changing to the southwest 18

Waikato

Today: Cloudy with isolated coastal showers but becoming widespread later in day and gusty westerly winds. 18

Tomorrow: Rain with some heavy falls and strengthening winds. 19

Saturday: Rain with some heavy falls. 16