A cold southerly on Friday will fade out on Saturday with lingering showers gradually drying out across Saturday too.

Those most exposed to any showers on Saturday will be in the south and east of the North Island mostly – but a rogue shower could pop up in a number of coastal areas as this system finally runs out of steam.

By the end of Saturday most of New Zealand should be dry – the areas still exposed to any remaining showers are places like Gisborne and East Cape and perhaps the West Coast.

Also by the end of the day a high pressure system in the Tasman Sea will finally spread into the upper and western North Island – calming things down but perhaps ensuring a cold night on the way Saturday night/Sunday morning.

On Sunday the high is mainly over the North Island and will spread warmer westerlies over the upper South Island and eastern South Island.

Heavy rain will push up the West Coast – watch for possible rain warnings.

Winds will also rise to gale in some exposed parts of the South Island interior on Sunday PM.

Sunday looks warm or warmer in most main centres from Otago to Northland.

– Image / File, Jemma Wells

– WeatherWatch.co.nz