First weekend of summer warm, but not sunny

The first weekend of summer is going to be a cloudy one this year, but for most of the country at least it will be dry.

Low cloud will create a "dirty high" across both islands, with scattered showers and light winds for parts of the top and bottom ends of the country.

"It's not going to be as sunny this weekend for the country as a whole than if it was a cleaner high, said MetService meteorologist Tom Adams.

As far as temperature goes however, people could expect more of the same this weekend.

A south westerly wind in the south of the South Island would make things a little chillier through to tomorrow before a north westerly wind returned to warm things up again on Sunday.

"This high sticks around for the North Island but there is a front approaching the south," he said."

The lower east coast of the South Island would see several "scrappy" showers on Saturday as the front moved through.

"Hopefully the rain will miss the Santa parade in Invercargill," Adams said.

The front should peter out before it reached the North Island.

Today in the north of the North Island this morning people could expect scattered showers, clearing by afternoon.

Thanks to low cloud overnight temperatures shouldn't drop too much, Adams said.

"It will feel moderately humid in Auckland this weekend. It's the wind that makes a big difference as well," he said.

A south westerly wind this afternoon should mean a drop in humidity but as winds died down tomorrow and on Sunday the sticky factor may rise again.

MetService has forecast its next severe weather event for Tuesday, although Adams warned there was s slight chance of a couple of thunderstorms rumbling in the east cape of the North Island today.

Weather today

Auckland: Cloudy morning with chance shower, then fine breaks. South westerly. High 20C Low 12C

Hamilton: Cloudy morning with chance shower, then fine breaks. South westerly. High 21C Low 7C

Napier: Early morning and evening showers. Afternoon southeasterly. High 21C Low 13C

Wellington: Morning fine spells, a few showers from midday with southerly. High 17C Low 10C

Blenheim: Cloudy periods, brief morning showers. Light winds. High 17C Low 8C

Christchurch: Occasional rain clearing afternoon. Northeast developing. 14C 8C

Queenstown: Morning cloud, then mainly fine. Light winds. High 19C Low 8C

Invercargill: Morning cloud then mainly fine. Light winds. 16C 7C

Christchurch: Occasional rain clearing afternoon. Northeast developing. High 14C Low 8C