Much needed rain will today start to move into New Zealand but will it be enough for farmers and those on rain water supplies?

The frontal band will weaken significantly as it heads north over the next 24 hours however data used by WeatherWatch.co.nz indicates slightly healthier rainfall amounts for northern New Zealand than predicted earlier in the week.

The chance of rain has lifted by 20% in most centre in the drying northern regions of New Zealand – from 30% to 50% in Whangarei and from 40% to 60% in Auckland.

In Taranaki it has increased from 60% to 80% with Waikato remaining on 60% however the time frame of rain has doubled from 6 hours to about 12 hours chance of rain.

However rainfall totals aren’t likely to be high from Waikato northwards.

Rain will be heaviest along the South Island’s West Coast ranges and a developing low east of Canterbury tomorrow will fuel rain and a wintry cold change up the coast and into Wellington by Friday night/Saturday morning.

Dry weather returns next week with models predicting the North Island and eastern South Island are in for another dry 7 days ahead.