Yes a high is coming in, but no we cannot guarantee sunny weather. In fact, cloud may well be a big part of our “calm first week of December” which is coming our way.

While cloud trapped under high pressure systems isn’t usually as big of an issue for New Zealand in summer as it is in winter (anticyclonic gloom) the set up of this incoming high(s) means a cold front moving up the country later this week will get ‘crushed’ by high pressure – leaving behind a lot of cloud and trapped moisture under this high pressure dome.

The long range (10 day) forecast for New Zealand shows a lot of high pressure – and plenty of dry – but also plenty of cloudy weather for northerners and a number of other coastal regions.

Moisture and cloud left over by the northern front may then linger with the high for a number of days. This set up can sometimes produce light drizzle in the mornings and more isolated but heavy downpours in the afternoons or early evenings.  

Precipitation (drizzle or downpours) will be very hit and miss – but if it affects a large city for a day it may lead to many people asking “I thought there was a large high coming in?”. We’re pre-warning you that highs don’t promise dry sunny weather always!

However, for the most part the next week does look settled (calm) across the country – and from our experience the windy weather makes New Zealanders more frustrated and angry than cloudy or showery weather… and remember that’s the silver lining on any upcoming cloudy weather – at least it won’t be windy!

– WeatherWatch.co.nz