The sun rises following the dawn service in Auckland in 2024. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi
Most of the country is in for a dry but cool Anzac Day Dawn Service with MetService forecasts looking more favourable for outdoors activities around the South Island while warm, humid air brings rain in from the Far North over the weekend.
Cloudier skies and spells of rain are expected for Northland on Anzac Day, however, temperatures for the dawn service are likely to hold around the mid-teens.
The eastern coast of the North Island has a risk of passing showers for dawn services. There's chilly temperatures of 2C forecasted for Taupō, Masterton and Alexandra.
Through the rest of Friday the risk of rain drifts southward and by midday Saturday rain looks likely for areas north of Taupō. The wet weather is linked to an area of warm, humid air so the potential for heavy falls will accompany the rain.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said Northland and Auckland may see another wet weekend.
"There is a lot of uncertainty around this weather system and how much rain it may bring so it's advised to keep up with the latest forecasts."
South of Taupō the North Island look to stay dry until the second half of Saturday, he said.
The South Island is where the weather is most settled this weekend, Christchurch can look forward to a few sunny afternoons for the long weekend with temperatures even climbing into the 20s on Sunday.
Some showers will be sprinkled down the West Coast, maybe a little more widespread on Sunday, said Ferris. The hills around Nelson and Tasman can expect a possibility of rain setting in on Saturday.
A NIWA snapshot of the expected conditions at 6.00am Friday morning. Photo: X / NIWA
"While some areas will need to keep the raincoats on hand, many parts of the country can look forward to some moments of sunshine," said Ferris.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
