Weekend weather: Dry for Guy Fawkes

Saturday night will be dry which is good news for firework-lovers. PHOTO/Ben Fraser

Guy Fawkes can go off with a bang in dry skies tomorrow.

Despite a showery start to the weekend for the whole country, the weather should clear up for a clear but cloudy afternoon and evening.

It's good news for the petrol heads nipping off to the ITM Auckland SuperSprint V8 Supercars at Pukekohe race track tomorrow too. The cars will be able to kick up clouds of smoke in the dry conditions.

"Everyone wants the perfect clear skies. They will not get but it should be dry," MetService meteorologist April Clark said.

Showers scattered over the North Island, more popping up over the South Island this arvo. Check your forecast: https://t.co/hnwmGxU1gR ^CF pic.twitter.com/pfV4tgejDi

— MetService (@MetService) November 3, 2016

But the drizzle will hit again when a front from the Tasman Sea hits the South Island early Sunday morning. The front will slowly move over the country bringing showers. The wet weather should hit Auckland in the afternoon.

"With that there could be brief heavy showers for a time on the West Coast and scattered showers on the east coast."

Wind may be an issue this Guy Fawkes for the lower North Island and South Island with strong NW ahead of a front. Check with organisers ^TA pic.twitter.com/JcdWjoSDtl

— MetService (@MetService) November 3, 2016

Some strong winds could keep the fire service busy if fireworks go astray. Gusty northerlies will blow ahead of the front in the lower South Island and West Coast. Clark said it'll be a bit gusty in Wairarapa and Wellington but it's "nothing we're not used to".

"Everyone sort of gets a bit of something then it clears up."

Clark suggests that Gisborne or Napier will get the best and driest weather this weekend, but even they will see a few showers on Sunday. The wettest place will be the West Coast of the South Island.

Main centre forecasts for Saturday

Whangarei
Sunny spells, chance shower. Winds turning to northwest and a high of 21C.

Auckland
Sunny spells, chance showers. Winds turning to northwest and a high of 19C.

Hamilton
Few showers clear, fine breaks increase. Northwesterly winds and a high of 19C.

Tauranga
Mainly fine with chance of an afternoon or evening shower. Northwesterly winds with a high of 20C.

Wellington
Long sunny spells. Northerly winds developing and a high of 17C.

Christchurch
Mainly fine with increasing high cloud. Northeasterly winds and a high of 18C.

Dunedin
Mainly fine with high cloud. Northeasterly breeze develop and a high of 16C.

Queenstown
Mainly fine, increasing high cloud. Northeasterly winds and a high of 19C.​