Showers clear and sun comes out for the weekend

A reprieve for wet and windy Wellington as the stormy weather looks set to give way to sunshine in time for the weekend.

Torrential rain wreaked havoc in the capital yesterday and severe flooding closed schools and submerged roads in Porirua.

The MetService forecast indicated some showers were expected to linger in the city this morning before clearing later in the afternoon.

A high of 19C was expected, cooling to 18C for Saturday and Sunday.

Meteorologist Claire Flynn said the rain was expected to move northwards towards Auckland, though it wasn't expected to be as heavy.

"The front is weakening, however, so while Kapiti and Horowhenua are also under warning, the rain further north is not expected to be as heavy."

Auckland was to have a day of showers, though these were expected to clear by afternoon and some clouds were forecast to be hanging around on Saturday and Sunday.

Highs of 22C were expected from today until Monday.

Further south was drier and sunnier, albeit a little cooler. Christchurch's high was forecast to be 16C with temperatures going as low as 5C overnight.

Saturday was expected to be a full day of sunshine, with a slightly warmer high of 21C, while Mother's Day on Sunday would see a little cloud and a high of 20C.

Fiordland and Westland were still expected to get a bit of rain throughout the weekend.

MetService was also warning those in or near the water to be careful, as the stormy weather had generated powerful swells that could cause strong currents, undertows and rips.

The swells were expected to ease over the weekend.