Planning something outside? Today's the day to do it according to weather forecaster

If you are planning anything outside this week for school holidays today is the day to do it.

In a week with heavy rain falling on most days the next 12 or so hours will provide a bright spot with fine weather expected across most of the country.

Balmy spring temperatures are forecast across the North Island with some areas tipping 20C. Tauranga and Kerikeri are forecast to reach 20C and Whangarei 21C.

But MetService forecaster April Clark warned it was worth making the most of the sun because the weather was due to pack up again this evening.

"It's going to be pretty fine and clear for most of the day but then there will be heavy rain in a substantial front that reaches the country at night."

Clark said parts of the South Island would have morning mist before clearing to a fine day.

While there would be a lot of low cloud for some inland areas of the North Island and coastal areas of the South Island it would remain dry until evening.

Auckland could expect a few morning showers before clearing to a mainly fine day.

Auckland:Mostly fine with heavy rain at night. 19C

Hamilton:Sunny spells. Rain at night, chance heavy. 19C

Wellington: Sunny apart from morning then evening cloud. 16C

Christchurch: Sunny spells increasing then cloudy. 17C

Dunedin: Sunny spells increasing then cloudy.16C