High pressure is currently expanding over the New Zealand area and looks set to dominate our weather for the entire first half of March, according to WeatherWatch.co.nz.

It means rainfall totals will be extremely low for most of the North Island, the upper South Island and some eastern parts of the South Island.

In fact a large portion of NZ will have between just a trace (0.2mm) and 5mm over the next week or two. The bulk of the rain will be around Fiordland and South Westland, with some spillover into Southland and Otago and North Westland. This means New Zealand’s driest regions will get even drier before relief eventually comes their way.

A few light showers will affect the eastern North Island at times over the next few days – otherwise we have a mostly dry week or two ahead with temperatures lifting up next week into the mid to late 20s for many. This will make fire risks Extreme in many areas.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the next best opportunity for rain makers looks to be around mid-March in the Tasman Sea area, but this far out is certainly not locked in to bring any relief just yet. Fiordland is expected to have normal to slightly above normal rainfall.

14 DAY TOTAL RAINFALL OUTLOOK – BIG PICTURE (GFS – AMERICA)

14 DAY TOTAL RAINFALL OUTLOOK – CLOSE UP (GFS – AMERICA)

7 DAY TOTAL RAINFALL OUTLOOK – HIGH RESOLUTION (ECMWF – EUROPE)

– WeatherWatch.co. nz