A cool southerly flow peppered much of New Zealand with showers today,especially eastern areas and the far south. The southerly flow eases during Friday and the showers clear as a high moves onto the country from the Tasman Sea. "As skies clear and southerlies ease, temperatures will  plummet and frosts are likely in sheltered places Friday morning," commented MetService meteorologist Peter Little.

As the high moves away to the northeast on Saturday, a northwesterly flow develops over the country ahead of another front. Whilst most people can expect a dry Saturday, the front brings rain to the West Coast of the South Island and to the far south, where there is a change to cold southwesterlies late in the day.

The front moves slowly northwards onto the North Island on Sunday,bringing rain to many places. "People should plan for indoor activities on Sunday,  as wet weather is expected across much of New Zealand, with the heaviest  falls likely in the west," said Little. "Although the rain should hold off  long enough for those wanting to bike the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Sunday  morning, rain is likely in Wairarapa for Toast Martinborough," added Little.

The rain lingers over northern New Zealand into Monday, with heavy falls possible, while a showery southwesterly flow covers the remainder of the country. The weather becomes more settled by the middle of next week as a new high moves onshore from the Tasman Sea.

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