Skies are generally dry over the nation and it’s Greymouth and near the south Taranaki coast where a few showers are lingering.

These two regions should also see skies dry out this afternoon and this evening and Wednesday looks dry for more than 98% of the nation.

On the rain front Good Friday sees the next good burst of rain developing over the west and south of the South island and although it eases on Saturday, Easter Sunday looks more widespread with heavier falls possible and a few lighter falls could move across the south plus possibly central areas by Easter Monday.

It appears each time it hits the West of the South Island the rainband then breaks up before moving north and becomes much lighter and scattered.

Easter Monday is where there’s more of a chance of a few showers nationally with possible a brief period of rain across the upper North island but again our confidence of this coming off remains relatively low.

“We’ve seen this situation time and again where it appears quite hopeful that decent rain will fall and only on one occasion recently did the central part of the country see more than what was expected otherwise it’s been the other way around” says Weather Analyst Richard Green.

Temperatures are near avereage or above for the beginning of the break however southern areas could see cooler temperatures creep in during the weekend.

WeatherWatch