Saturday is a mixture for the country with some heavy rain over the west of the South Island spilling over to southern and eastern areas but only a few light showers are expected in the west of the North Island otherwise a settled day ahead for northerners.

Nelson and Marlborough appear to escape most of the damp stuff today across the South Island whereas parched areas east of the South Island will be pleased to hopefully see a dollop or two as a rain band gradually settles in.

After seeing temperatures in the mid to high 20s off and on throughout the week in parts of Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago, today the thermometer isn’t expected to be quite so generous as a cloud band should keep the heat of the sun at bay for many.