Summer officially starts today but it’s a bit of a wet one for many regions.  A shallow low pressure system is driving some patchy rain and drizzle over several parts of New Zealand.

12 Noon Rain Tracker

NORTH ISLAND:  There are patches of rain currently over Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel and Taranaki, and are moving inland to Central Plateau and Bay of Plenty.  As of 12noon the rain band over the Far North was clearing to the south – and that clearance will reach Auckland this afternoon.

The Weather Watch Centre estimates only a few mms are likely in most of these areas.

SOUTH ISLAND:  Patchy rain and drizzle are moving into the Nelson region, parts of the West Coast and south Canterbury and Otago.   Conditions aren’t likely to get much wetter this afternoon.

WHAT’S IT LIKE WHERE YOU ARE?  Post a Comment below!

Earlier Update

A weak low will pass over the North Island today with a weak front attached to it.  A few patches of light rain and drizzle are likely today but will clear from the north as the day progresses.  Most places will likely only see a few mms at the most.

The rest of the week sees a high developing with winds dying out in the north and westerlies building a little over central, eastern and southern areas.  That means more hot, dry, weather for central and eastern places with temperatures reaching into the mid to upper 20s.

Only southern areas, like Southland and the West Coast, will have cooler weather with temperatures mainly in the teens and showers or rain from time to time.  Conditions may also be very windy later in the week through Otago and Canterbury as the ol’ nor’westers crank up. 

Yesterday temperatures soared over the country under a Summer-like high.  Parts of inland Bay of Plenty made it to 28 with 27 across the Waikato and 26 in both Auckland and Manawatu.

Philp Duncan – Head Weather Analyst