Wet weather to pay a visit

The sun rises through the fog on Auckland's North Shore. Temperatures will remain balmy as rain sets in this weekend. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Wet weather is forecast for much of the country this weekend - a damp change from a long, unseasonably mild spell.

Daniel Corbett of the MetService said a subtropical low would bring showers to most parts of the North Island.

"As we go through the weekend you can imagine this spinning low, like a spinning top, just giving a glancing blow to the northern and eastern coasts of the North Island."

Some dry patches and brighter spells were expected in Auckland, and temperatures would remain around 15-16C.

"It's still really mild, there isn't really any cold air behind this front," Mr Corbett said.

Patchy showers would persist tomorrow before petering out early next week.

Heavy bursts of rain in eastern Northland were expected while the central and lower North Island would also be wet.

Philip Duncan of WeatherWatch said the low would be good news for some, with farmers and gardeners desperate for rainfall.

"I can't recall an August in Auckland where people have been needing rain."