We have a typical spring week this week which kicks off with a low and rain in the north, has a colder than normal southerly in the east and the week ends on a windy westerly note with a cold front.

Overall it means wetter weather in the north and driest in the east of the South Island.

As we head into this weekend a surge of heavy rain moves up the West Coast on Friday with strong to gale force westerly winds developing for a time in central NZ.

This weekend sees that front fall apart but a weak Tasman Sea low moving in by Sunday to the north (not yet locked in).