The front that caused heavy rain and snow for the South Island on Thursday and Friday has its sights set on the North Island today, says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

Heavy falls of rain are likely especially from the afternoon onwards as it moves in from the Tasman Sea.

For Bay of Plenty, Northland, Auckland and Waikato, the weather is expected to be mostly cloudy with showers, turning to rain by mid-afternoon. This should become heavy by evening as a front moves in from the Tasman. Highs for these four regions will be between 17 - 19 degrees Celsius.

Rain to these Northland, Auckland and Waikato will ease overnight as breezy northerly winds change southwest.

The Bay of Plenty being further to the east will see heavy rain develop later in the day and continue overnight.

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Showers with northerlies, turning to rain in the afternoon then becoming heavy as a front moves in from the Tasman. Southerlies pick up later in the day or overnight.
Highs: 15 – 18

Eastern North Island
Sun and thickening high cloud north of about Napier, northerly winds. Further south southerly winds freshen from morning (strong later on) with rain spreading in, heavy at times after midday.
Highs: 17 – 22

Wellington
Rain, becoming heavy. South to southeasterly winds freshen from morning.
Highs: 13 – 14

Marlborough & Nelson
Rain, heavy falls possible mainly about Marlborough, easing from afternoon. Southeasterlies pick up after midday.
Highs: 13 – 15

Canterbury
Mostly cloudy with the odd light shower, picking up later in the day. Light snow flurries to 700 or maybe 600m, 500 to 400m overnight. Southwesterlies tend southeast after midday.
Highs: 7 – 10

West Coast
North of Greymouth expect mostly cloudy skies, perhaps a few showers. Further south conditions are dry with a few sunny spells especially down towards South Westland. Winds from the southwest.
Highs: 13 – 15

Southland & Otago
Mostly cloudy with a shower or two possible, coastal Otago has a higher likelihood of showers. Light winds for Southland and Central Otago, northeasterly breezes for coastal Otago.
Highs: 9 – 12