Weather to ease and Easter should be goodie

While there would be few showers scattered around the country this weekend, it would be fine for most. Photo / iStock

The wild weather buffeting the country will ease today. And fine weather is expected for the long Easter weekend for most regions.

While severe gales of up to 120km/h reached some areas of the country yesterday, the wind and rain would start to subside today, said MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray.

"There's an improving trend for the Easter weekend with more settled weather and cooler air," Ms Murray said.

Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, Wanganui and northern Manawatu were the areas affected by severe gales heavy rain yesterday.

However, rain would start easing from the western parts of the country this morning, MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said.

"There will be a gradual clearance starting from Taranaki. It's going to push its way from the west to the eastern parts of the country," he said.

Mr Doolin said the rain would still be affecting some eastern areas such as Gisborne and eastern Bay of Plenty this afternoon as it clears.

Heavy rain was expected to ease to showers in the afternoon for Auckland.

Gusts of 100 km/h was expected in the morning. However they would start to ease.

Early morning showers were expected tomorrow with a high of 24C and mainly fine weather on Saturday.

Heavy rain in the morning would subside to showers in the afternoon for Hamilton.

It would be mainly fine tomorrow with a high of 25C.

It was a similar situation for Tauranga, with downpours in the morning easing to afternoon showers today with a high of 24C.

While there would be few showers scattered around the country this weekend, it would be fine for most.

"There's a little front approaching from the Tasman that will make its presence known on Sunday," he said.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) advised pet owners to bring animals inside during a storm.

The animal advocate group advised owners not to leave pets unsupervised in a car and to watch out for other animals.