Aucklanders could be forgiven for thinking it was summer already, but the settled and sunny weather of the past few days is over, with patchy showers forecast through the weekend.

Wet weather will appear in most parts of the country over the next three days. Rainfall will be heaviest in the west of both islands, MetService meteorologist Kyle Lee said.

Today the east coast should stay relatively dry, but a front crosses the south later today, bringing showers overnight and into the morning for Christchurch.

MetService has issued a weather watch for heavy rain in Fiordland and Southern Westland today.

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Tomorrow, North Islanders should expect a few showers through the day, Lee said.

"We've got a period of rain expected for the North Island continuing into the afternoon.

"Most of the North Island will get patches of rain on Saturday and then another front moves across again on Sunday."

Strong winds in northern parts of country meant Aucklanders should watch for westerlies, and showers and rain are expected for most of Sunday.

By Sunday the South Island was looking drier, however, as only a few showers are predicted from a front moving slowly over the South Island, Lee said.

"We're expecting showers to get into most parts and even in the eastern areas on Sunday."

Christchurch wouldn't be getting much rain. The wettest areas will be the "usual" of Southland, Westland, Fiordland and maybe a bit of Canterbury High country.

Today's forecast

•Whangarei: A few showers, but rain from afternoon. Northerly wind turns westerly. 16C
•Auckland: A few showers developing morning. Northerlies developing. 16C
•Hamilton: A few showers developing in the morning. Light winds. 15C
•Tauranga: Cloud increasing, a few showers from afternoon. Northerlies. 16C
•Wellington: Morning and evening drizzle, afternoon fine breaks. Strong northerly, easing late. 14C
•Christchurch: Fine with high cloud and fresh northerlies. 20C
•Queenstown: Cloud increasing, chance afternoon showers. Northwest easing in the morning then dying out. 15C
•Nelson: Cloudy periods with the odd shower. Northerlies. 16C