The fine weather in the Bay of Plenty today will be short lived, with predictions of rain for the weekend.

The MetService is expecting cloud to increase this evening and showers to develop in the region tomorrow.

The MetService is forecasting rain for the Bay of Plenty this weekend. Image: MetService.

A front, currently affecting southern parts of the South Island, will move up the country today and Friday bringing rain or showers to many.

While the front lingers around the northeast of the North Island into the weekend, a ridge of high pressure brings more settled weather in the South Island.

'The front has already been making itself known to some places in the very south of the country,” says MetService Meteorologist Claire Flynn. '

The front is expected to move onto the North Island on Friday, but it weakens as it moves north.

'Once the front gets to the North Island, it is looking like it will bring showers, or just a brief period of rain,” says Claire.

Over the South Island, a ridge of high pressure begins to take control on Friday, meaning that rain and showers should clear for most people.

'As we move into the weekend, the front lingering around the northeast of the North Island starts to strengthen once again, bringing rain at times to many places in the upper and central North Island.

'The Bay of Plenty looks like they will see the most rain, with some heavy falls expected on Sunday,” says Claire.