As long as Cantabrians double-peg their laundry he said Saturday will likely be okay for drying washing.
As that weather system moves in today, the heaviest rain is expected on the western coast of the South Island while the strongest winds are forecast around places such as the Canterbury High Country, Southland and Otago.
MetService forecaster Aidan Pyselman said it's possible wind warnings could be issued for areas such as Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa as well.
The front continues to track up over the North Island late on Saturday and Sunday while at the same time a south to southeast flow develops over the South Island, which is expected to bring cooler temperatures.
There are several weather warnings in places across the South Island including a heavy rain warning until 1pm today across the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass.
A heavy rain warning is also in place until the same time in Westland and south of Otira.
Northern parts of the country are looking "much better", Ngamanu said, with Auckland getting areas of morning fog today but otherwise fine weather.
Metservice forcast a high of 17C and a low of 12C in central Auckland today and on Sunday also a high of 17C and a low of 11C.
That fog, he said, would likely continue to affect northern areas.
By 1pm yesterday, Auckland Airport said 26 domestic regional flights had been cancelled and three were delayed due to fog.
International flights and main trunk domestic routes had not been affected by the fog.
On Thursday, nearly 20 flights between Auckland and regional centres were grounded until the fog lifted mid-morning.
"Most of the North Island is okay as this front moves closer to the lower North Island [tonight], the winds are going to ramp up through Wellington and the Wairarapa," Ngamanu told the Herald.
The capital will see a high of 15C throughout the weekend and a low of 11C today and 6C tomorrow.
