A frontal system forecast to move up the country this weekend is expected to bring periods of rain with it.

Despite this, the MetService is forecasting a large portion of the weekend to be relatively settled.

'The past two weekends have been very eventful on the weather front and while this weekend isn't completely without severe weather, it will be a less intense affair,” says MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris.

An Orange Heavy Rain Warning and a Strong Wind Watch have been issued for Fiordland from the latter part of Friday into Saturday as the frontal system passes over.

The good news for recently affected areas is that the band of rain weakens as it moves north. This weakening trend may not be welcomed for those north of the Waikato who would like some rain.

'The band of rain moves through relatively quickly so it's not looking like a whole weekend washout for anywhere. It passes over Invercargill early on Saturday, up to Wellington early on Sunday before moving off to the east," says Ferris.

Rain is due Saturday evening for Christchurch and could mean a soggy pitch for the cricket at Hagley Oval on Sunday.

Image: MetService.