A high may be covering most of the North Island but those in Auckland – and many other western areas – are enduring more overcast weather as anticyclonic gloom sets in for another day.

Anticyclonic gloom is simply low cloud trapped underneath large highs, often occurring in winter.  It can produce mild nights, as the cloud acts like a blanket, trapping the day’s warmth.

However during the day this relatively thin layer of cloud does a good job at creating gloomy conditions.  No wind, little sun, no towering clouds – just a ceiling of grey.

Some love the still, grey weather.  Many find it dull and depressing too.

Those flying out of Auckland will take off through this cloud in matter of seconds, before flying into sunny weather just above the city.

Isolated drizzle patches can also form under anticyclonic gloom.

Sunny spells may start to re-develop over the next couple of days, but so too will fog patches – then more cloud develops in the west later this weekend ahead of the next rain band early next week.

– Homepage image / Alan Pidwell

– WeatherWatch.co.nz