Many people around New Zealand will tonight be celebrating Guy Fawkes, either attending orgasnised displays, having your own party or bonfire, or perhaps just sitting back to watch the neighbours do all the work.

Either way a lot of people will want tonight to be dry and calm.

RAIN
Today actually looks pretty good, with mostly dry conditions in the main centres.  However, we do have some drizzly areas which could start to develop (higher risk this evening) in some coastal regions.

At the same time, a front in the Tasman Sea will move towards the upper North Island.  This front is incredibly weak but the narrow areas of rain that do form could see quite explosive heavy showers – in areas like Northland, then the risk increases overnight to include Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel. One to watch – but for the narrow areas of heavy rain there will be far greater areas with dry conditions.  An isolated thunderstorm is also possible.

In the lower South Island there may be some patchy rain or showers about too – and the risk of a shower on the West Coast, otherwise mostly dry – but again some drizzle possible later in the day or evening – nothing substantial at this stage though.

So it’s a bit hit and miss – but most places do look mostly dry.  Best thing to do is check out the rain maps here at WeatherWatch – and the rain radar over at MetService – before heading out this evening.  Have fun – be safe!

Image / File, Jo Ottey

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

*Remember to think of children, animals and pets when lighting fireworks – and remember some parts of northern NZ are now very dry.  Be aware of any current fire bans.