> From the WeatherWatch archives
Tropical Storm Funa is falling apart and is no longer posing a threat to land, according to the Radio Network’s Weather Watch Centre. Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the storm is well off shore and the ‘eye’ is no longer visible on satellite images. “Basically it’s just a normal depression now, however it has dragged down and incredible amount of tropical air over the North island”.
Duncan says overnight lows from Waikato northwards will be lucky to drop below 22 degrees over the coming nights.
But despite heavy rain over parts of Northland the rain has so far missed drought stricken farms across Waikato and Bay of Plenty. “The rain band is very narrow, currently lying between Auckland and Whangarei. It doesn’t look like it’s going to deliver much for Waikato and Bay of Plenty farms”. However Duncan says farmers should remain optimistic as the humid air could produce shower activity.
Meanwhile Funa is set to cross the South Island in the next 24 hours. Showers are likely for dry farms in Otago and Canterbury but strong winds means most moisture will be removed from the soil. The low will be well clear of New Zealand by Wednesday.
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