The long range weather charts for this week show lows moving down the Tasman Sea from the sub-tropics and giving the large high that’s dominated the southern Tasman Sea a real run for its money. 

The high air pressure in that area, which has been responsible for bringing the devastating high temperatures to southern Australia and has played a part in our cool snap over the weekend, may be pushed south of Southland and Otago giving a settled end to the week there, but allowing the rain and humidity to return to the north.

In Auckland easterlies or nor’easterlies will dominate this week bringing warmer conditions to the city.   Many commented on how incredibly cold Auckland felt on Saturday as a south easterly and patchy rain and showers brought temperatures down to just 15 degrees at noon.  A rare temperature for mid-February so far north.

There’s an increased risk of showers this week across northern regions as the nor’easter manages to tap into moist air and Friday may see another sub-tropical low making landfall in the north, bringing heavy rain and a return to high humidity.

Meanwhile daytime highs may creep up a bit in the South Island but don’t expect a jump in the overnight lows.   The South Island is expected to have a more settled week with very little chance of severe weather.  The only real weather feature at this stage is the risk of rain in Nelson or Marlborough on Friday or Saturday as that sub-tropical low moves in.

THURSDAY PREDICTION:  Low pressure replaces high pressure in the Tasman Sea…

SATURDAY PREDICTION:  The low deepens bringing rain to western and northern regions…

Graphics:  COLA / IGES