Yep, it looks like a little taste of summer will be settling in this week, and only a few weeks late.

It would be funny if most of us hadn’t missed out on summer to begin with.

However, this week is looking more like summer than just about any time in the past 3 months.

All weekend, we’ve talked about a big ridge of high pressure coming in off the Tasman.  It was expected to slide in right behind today’s rainmaker.

At this point, it’s right on schedule and looking like it means business.  In terms of keeping us dry, that is.

For tomorrow about the only real chance for showers will be about Gisborne.  Even there, the precipitation chances are pretty small.  The rest of the North Island and all of the South Island are looking dry.

On Wednesday, some late afternoon showers may pop up about Auckland.  A few showers could also slip on shore about Napier and Hastings.  Otherwise, both islands are looking dry.

For Thursday, the models are trying to bring rain into the deep south.  This would be affecting Southland and Otago.  Auckland could also be on the receiving end of some more late-day showers.  Otherwise, both islands are looking dry.

Friday and Saturday, more dry weather is expected.

And to go with all this dry weather should be some very comfortable late summer/early autumn temperatures.

Now, I know what you are thinking; “I’ll believe it when I see it”.  Personally, I don’t blame you.  I have a hard time believing this as well.  Especially after the summer we just had (or didn’t have).

But, keep in mind; there has been a general change in the patterns we saw in place over the summer.  It makes sense that a drier pattern would start developing right now.

So, this forecast may be a bit TOO dry.  But I do think, overall, we have a pretty settled and comfortable week ahead.

Photo by CM Kong

By WeatherWatch Analyst Howard Joseph