It was an overcast day for Aucklanders yesterday but that was just the tip of the iceberg, as a shallow low moves down from the Coral Sea bringing plenty of cloud with it.

The low, which was born over the same warm waters that over a week ago produced Tropical Cyclone Tasha that flooded Queensland, looks set to bring cloudy, humid weather to the north and potentially more heavy rain in the south.

The sub-tropical low may push into western parts of the South Island in the next 24 to 48 hours, prompting fresh concerns of further heavy rain for rivers and lakes in the area – some of which are still in flood.

The West Coast was getting closer to drought conditions just one month ago but now the La Nina rains, which often favour eastern New Zealand and not western areas, have started to move in. 

“These lows from the sub-tropics don’t have to be very big to bring a lot of rain to us.  They are rich in moisture and often slow moving” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

“Trampers and campers across much of the South Island should be aware of this new system moving in.  It has the potential to again lift river levels on the east coast with heavy rain falling in the mountains in the catchment areas”.

For Aucklanders and those camping in Northland and Coromandel Peninsula it means plenty of cloud but it’s not going to be cold.  “Humidity will slowly grow all week making for some hot conditions even if it is cloudier.  The only downside will be those easterly winds, making the seas a little choppy” says Mr Duncan.

Some computer models are picking yet another low dropping down into the Tasman Sea from the sub-tropics early next week, although latest data shows coastal New South Wales may be at higher risk of rain than New Zealand.

– Homepage image / Todd O’hara