Weather outlook: Expect a cooler weekend as cold front moves in

The wet and windy spring weather looks set to continue. File photo / Richard Robinson

The wet and windy spring weather looks set to continue - at least till the afternoon - and the warm summery temperatures are coming to an end.

The WeatherWatch forecast for today is for the warm weather over the North Island to end as a cold front moves in.

"While not everyone will feel the chill, those in the east and south will notice it, especially by Friday," said WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan.

The front that crossed the North Island overnight will be across by late morning.

"Then a southerly change move northwards across Canterbury and into Wellington/Wairarapa, clearing the country over Sunday."

A front brings possible heavy rain for the northeastern parts of the North Island, with a chance of thunderstorm about eastern Bay of Plenty and East Cape.

Northerlies about East Cape could be strong at times, but is forecast to ease in the afternoon.

Southerlies will become strong about the lower North Island this afternoon, when westerlies about some western coastal areas become gusty but ease in the evening.

Auckland can expect the odd shower with strengthening southwest winds, according to MetService.

It will be several degrees cooler in the east of the North Island tomorrow.

Today's weather

• Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty: Morning heavy rain, possible thunderstorms, easing to odd shower. Sunny spells from afternoon. Highs 16-18C.

• Western North Island: Few showers then evening rain, easing overnight. Highs 16-18C.

• Eastern North Island: Early rain clearing, gusty southwest change develops. Highs 21-23C.

• Wellington: Rain, heavy this afternoon easing by evening. High 14C.

• Marlbourough and Nelson: Areas of rain easing, breezy southerly winds. High 16-18C.

• Canterbury: Rain easing to showers, then clearing by evening. High 13C.

• West Coast: Morning rain, clearing then sunny spells from afternoon. High 17-20C.

• Southland and Otago: Cloudy, possible showers in the afternoon. High 12-14C.