Those celebrating a day off in Auckland today will need to pack sunscreen -- but possibly an umbrella as well.

Auckland Anniversary Day is forecast to bring sunny spells and easterly breezes.

Temperatures are set to reach up to 26C.

There is, however, a chance of rain at some point this morning.

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MetService forecaster Allister Gorman said a large ridge over the country would bring fine and hot conditions in most parts over the next few days.

"Generally, today is a lot more settled. We do have a few showers over the North Island, but there's a lot of fine weather over most of the country."

Today's brighter conditions follow a belt of heavy rains and thunderstorms in parts of Auckland -- particularly south of the city, in Pukekohe, over the Manukau Harbour and Bombay -- where the heavy rainfall caused surface flooding.

There were also heavy rains west of the city, in the Waitakere Ranges.

Those in Hamilton, Whangarei, Gisborne and Wellington will also see fine conditions today and temperature highs ranging between the early to mid-20s.

Palmerston North is forecast to reach up to 29C and an overnight high of 18C. Other areas in the North Island -- Tauranga, Taupo, Napier and New Plymouth -- will be mostly fine and warm throughout the day, save for some morning drizzle or the odd shower.

Blenheim is the hottest place to be today. A high of 30C is forecast. Other areas set to feel the heat are Whanganui, Wairarapa and Manawatu regions, which all have temperatures reaching about 27C.

The South Island is also forecast to be fine in most parts, including in Christchurch, Greymouth, Dunedin and Invercargill. Most areas have temperatures high in the early 20s, except for Queenstown which has a high of 26C today.

Forecasts from MetService

Auckland

Today: Fine spells, 26C

Tomorrow: Fine spells, 27C

Wednesday: 26C

Whangarei

Today: Fine spells with the chance of a shower, 25C

Tomorrow: Fine spells with the chance of a shower, 26C

Wednesday: Fine spells, 26C

Tauranga

Today: Showers with a chance of thunder, easing, 23C

Tomorrow: Morning cloud, 26C

Wednesday: Mainly fine, 25C

Wellington

Today: Fine, 24C

Tomorrow: Some cloud, 23C

Wednesday: Mainly fine, 25C

Christchurch

Today: Morning cloud, 23C

Tomorrow: Mainly fine, 26C

Wednesday: Some cloud, 26C