A wet and windy start to Waitangi Day has given way to a glimpse of sunshine in Auckland, while the rest of the country is in for a "mixed bag" of weather with clear skies for some and possibly snow for others.
An unstable southwesterly flow was bringing areas of showers to parts of the country, MetService duty meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said.
Eastern areas could expect fine weather, but those on the west coast could expect showers.
"It is going to be a mixed bag unfortunately," Mr Doolin said.
"There are showers around most of the place at the moment, but there should be fine breaks here and there."
Mr Doolin said a front brought morning showers to Auckland, but rain had now made way for clear skies and a high of 22C.
"Behind [the front] we've still got a bit of activity with the possibility of isolated showers but otherwise it should be mostly fine for the rest of the day in Auckland."
Mr Doolin said apart from the odd shower, Aucklanders could expect a mostly sunny long weekend, with temperatures hitting 24C on Saturday and Sunday.
"There might be a few showers in the morning tomorrow, but then after that there should be fine spells [apart] from a bit of cloud returning in the evening.
"On Sunday it should be pretty fine apart from a little bit of morning or evening cloud."
Rugby fans in Wellington for the sevens this weekend might want to pack some warm clothes, with cold southerly winds making for cooler temperatures.
"Today it has been pretty chilly," Mr Doolin said.
"We've had a southerly bringing some quite cold air in ... We're looking at a high today of 16C and it will drop down to 10C overnight."
Mr Doolin said despite the cold winds it would remain clear for most of the day, with the possibility of a few showers later this evening.
"They're likely to be late and they should clear by early tomorrow morning and then it should be another fine day."
A high of 19C was forecast in the capital for the final day of the Sevens tomorrow.
"The southerlies that are bringing that really cold air are going to turn around to the north tomorrow in the afternoon."
The north of the country was shaping up to be the warmest this weekend, with Whangarei, Thames, Pukekohe, Waihi, Bay of Plenty and Whitianga all reaching temperatures of 25C tomorrow, Mr Doolin said.
Warmer temperatures were also forecast for areas in the far south, and Central Otago, Alexandra, Clyde and Twizel could also reach temperatures in the high 20s, he said.
Meanwhile, WeatherWatch analysts have predicted some snow in the far south, with places in Southland, and Central and coastal Otago most at risk.
Cold southwesterly winds and showers this morning could bring conditions for an occasional snow flurry down to fairly low levels, analysts said.
Today:
• Whangarei: A few showers and afternoon fine spells with strong southwesterlies. High 24C, low 15C.
• Auckland: Showers becoming isolated this afternoon, with strong southwesterlies. High 22C, low 14C.
• Tauranga: Fine with gusty southwesterlies. High 23C, low 11C.
• Hamilton: Fine with strong southwesterlies. High 21C, low 6C.
• Wellington: Mainly fine with a few showers tonight and a strong, cool southerly. High 16C, low 10C.
• Christchurch: Occasional showers with strong, cool southwesterly winds. High 16C, low 7C.
Tomorrow:
• Whangarei: Fine spells, a chance of a morning shower, with southerlies dying out. High 25C, low 14C.
• Auckland: A few morning showers, then fine spells with a southerly dying out. High 24C, low 15C.
• Tauranga: Fine with light winds. High 25C, low 14C.
• Hamilton: Mainly fine, a chance of a morning shower, with light winds. High 24C, low 10C.
• Wellington: Early showers, then fine, with southerlies dying out and northerly developing. High 19C, low 14C.
• Christchurch: Sunny with southwesterlies dying out in the morning. High 24C, low 10C.
Sunday:
• Whangarei: Fine with light winds. High 25C, low 16C.
• Auckland: Fine, apart from morning and evening cloud, with light winds. High 24C, low 16C.
• Tauranga: Fine, apart from evening cloud, with westerly breezes. High 26C, low 16C.
• Hamilton: Cloudy periods with a few morning showers and westerly breezes. High 25, low 13C.
• Wellington: Cloudy periods with strong northerlies. High 22C, low 17C.
• Christchurch: Fine with northeasterlies developing. High 25C, low 15C.
(Souce: MetService)
