More rain is being predicted for the North Island as an active trough moves across the country in the coming days.

MetService media and communications meteorologist Dan Corbett says the next trough approaching from the Tasman Sea will bring another round of widespread rain.

The MetService is predicting heavy showers with possible thunder at the weekend.

'There is a chance of increased thunderstorms, especially for north-western areas including Northland, Auckland and Coromandel during this evening.

'In many places, rain or showers continue on through Saturday and into Sunday.”

A moist north to northeast flow covers New Zealand during the weekend, preceding a complex trough, which is expected to cross the country during Monday and Tuesday. This system is likely to bring significant weather to many places. 

Periods of heavy rain are likely in a moist northeast flow in the northeast of the North Island on Sunday and Monday, with a high confidence of accumulations reaching warning criteria in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne. 

Moderate amounts of rain is expected in the Western Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. 

In Tauranga the MetService is predicting heavy showers and possible thunder on Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures will reach highs of 20 degrees with overnight lows of 16 degrees.

'The New Zealand area looks to be dominated by several large lows. The prolonged dry spell is over.”