Saturday starts off settled but clouds will thicken and rain develops at night for some, with a few isolated heavy falls again back in the mix.

A small low from the Tasman Sea will move in over the country tonight, mainly through central NZ, and will bring a burst of rain and showers.

A colder southerly flow comes in behind it, but that doesn’t properly kick in until tonight and Sunday.

Generally speaking a settled Saturday but rain overnight will be heavy, some localised winds and even the chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the north.

As always, check your local www.WeatherWatch.co.nz and www.RuralWeather.co.nz forecast to see hourly details for where you are today and tonight. The below is a general outlook for the regions…

Here are the regional forecasts for Saturday:

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
A mix of sun and cloud with mild north to north west winds. There might be an isolated shower or even heavy downpour – otherwise dry. Showers or rain more likely to develop by afternoon, evening or overnight. Check your local HOURLY forecast for more.
Highs: 19-25

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Cloudy at times with northerly quarter winds. Clouds increasing later with wet weather likely tonight/overnight.
Highs: 17 – 21

Eastern North Island
Mostly Sunny, a few cloudy areas. Winds warm from the North to North West.
Highs: 19-26

Wellington
Mainly cloudy with windy northerlies. Rain develops tonight/overnight.
High: 17

Marlborough & Nelson
A fairly dry day with clouds increasing later. Rain at night. Northerly quarter winds turning southerly overnight.
Highs: 20-22

Canterbury
A mix of sun and cloud with clouds increasing later and maybe a few showers tonight, rain developing overnight. Mild Northerlies turning colder southerly.
Highs: 15 – 22

West Coast
Cloudy with a few showers turning to rain at times – especially overnight. Refer to your local hourly forecast for rainfall details. Light winds turning more southerly later.
Highs: 14 or 15

Southland & Otago
A cold front is moving in today with rain developing then a temperature drop, especially overnight as southerlies kick in more.
Highs: 11-17

THE MAPS: