High pressure continues to dominate NZ’s weather but we are seeing hints at some rain chances this coming Friday and Saturday. As the current high departs New Zealand late week – and before the next high arrives – a small area of low pressure will form. 

This new area of low pressure won’t be big or very deep but it looks to be just enough to spark some rain clouds and produce isolated pockets of helpful rain – linked up by lighter, drizzly less-helpful falls.

The jury is out on just how much will fall and where – but the various models we trust are starting to firm up a little more.

At this stage it appears Friday sees the best consolidation of rain clouds producing the best chances of soaking rains here and there. Even within regions it’s a bit hit and miss though. On Saturday the rain weakens and eases.  Not everyone will get relief – if you look closely at the rainfall maps you can see large areas with the blue/green shading, this indicates just 0.2mm to 20mm.

RAINFALL MAPS SHOWING TOTAL EXPECTED ACCUMULATION BETWEEN NOON TODAY (TUESDAY) AND MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY

ABOVE – ECMWF (Europe)
BELOW – GFS (US Government)

ABOVE – ECMWF (Europe)
BELOW – GFS (US Government)

– WeatherWatch.co.nz