The trend across the next week in New Zealand remains drier than average but the spring-like pattern will ensure a few cold fronts cross the country and this will bring pockets of relief to farmers, gardeners and growers in both islands.

Across today some downpours will be heavy and soaking in the North Island as a front moves through. It’s a bit hit and miss for the heaviest falls but a number of regions do get some moisture today. East Cape is the highest risk for heavy downpours today and combined with daytime heating there may be some thunderstorms there too.

As the week goes on a few cold fronts in the lower South Island will bring some wet weather, mostly to West Coast – along with big temperature changes around the south and east of the nation.

Downpours will also pop up here and there – especially later this coming weekend judging by the latest maps, with downpours possible on Christmas Eve through inland parts of the North Island, at this early stage.

A cold front will also reach Fiordland on Christmas Day with some wet weather potential next Tuesday, Boxing Day, in both islands due to a possible small area of low pressure. We’ll keep you posted in the days ahead.

7 DAY RAIN MAP – % OF FORECASR RAIN COMPARED TO USUAL RAIN AT THIS TIME OF YEAR:

The 7 days ahead shows wet weather returning to the West Coast (blue), other areas getting showers or downpours (in white = averaging rainfall for this week in December). But red/pink shading means drier than normal – which is most of the main centres / Map courtesy of US Govt.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz