Rain due to return on Friday

Rain set to return on Friday.

The twin cites can expect more of the temperamental autumn weather today with high cloud, and a few spots of rain from this afternoon.

Light winds were also on the cards, with a high for both cities of 21C.

Dannevirke can expect similar conditions today, with a forecast high of 19C.

MetService said these conditions would remain for much of the first half of the week, with showers developing in the morning on Wednesday and a southwesterly change.

Thursday the showers were expected to clear and winds to reduce.

But come Friday the rain would return, with a high of just 22C forecast for Napier and Hastings. The wet week was expected to continue into this weekend.

The North Island will generally see high cloud in the east, and late rain in Wairarapa. Cloudy periods will persist in the west, with occasional showers from Waikato to Horowhenua Kapiti Coast and late rain in Wellington.

In the South Island, rain will spread north in the west, with some heavy falls, then clearing in the south. In the east, showers in Otago and Southland will ease, with rain developing elsewhere.