The week ahead is looking fairly average, no extreme’s to note although northwesterlies may get up about some regions / areas for a time. So onwards we go……

Monday has a northeasterly airflow over the country, for the North Island many regions could see morning cloud then expect sunny areas. Perhaps some morning drizzle too mainly about the Bay Of Plenty, then the risk of a shower late afternoon or evening about some western parts of the Island. Wellington sees morning drizzle clear then afternoon sunny areas, winds from the east or southeast. Patchy rain or drizzle about many upper South Island regions gradually clears away during the day, the lower South Island has morning cloud break to sunny areas.

Tuesday has a ridge over the North Island while a front decays just off to the west while northwesterlies build over the South Island. Generally speaking it’s a mostly sunny day for the North Island although morning cloud is possible for many, western parts of the North Island from Northland down through to Taranaki could see more substantial cloud and a few showers to start the day before clearing. Over the South Island it is a mostly sunny day out east, cloud builds in the west with a few showers moving in.

Generally settled over the North Island on Wednesday due to a ridge of high pressure, mainly sunny although expect some high cloud, mid level cloud at times too. Warm in the east of the South Island with sunny areas and some high cloud, a bit cloudier in the west especially further south in South Westland where showers are likely for Fiordland.

A low moves into the Tasman Sea west of the country on Thursday. Mostly cloudy for the North Island’s western regions, a few showers develop about the southwestern corner of the Island too. Drier out east with high cloud. Patchy showers for the South Island’s West Coast clear by evening, winds fairly light. Southerlies gradually move up the east coast of the South Island during the day bringing some cloud and then gradually a few patchy showers or some drizzle.

Finally on Friday the North Island is looking to have periods of cloud and a few sunny spells, there could be a shower or two about for some otherwise mainly dry with light westerlies. Winds about the southern half of the Island will be from the south. Over the South Island there will be fairly cloudy skies in the east, perhaps a light shower or two mainly morning and southerly winds. Looking drier and warmer for the West Coast.

Homepage image: Wednesday 25th March 2014 1:00pm MSLP / Rain map – weathermap.co.nz

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz