First January started out wet, now it’s gone cool for many in the south, west and north – but this week a high will dominate New Zealand’s weather with a particular focus on the North Island. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz says a large high will track in from the west and for the first time in several weeks it will set its sights on the North Island.

For Auckland and the upper North Island Spring was a very dry season thanks to continuous high air pressure systems over northern New Zealand or even north of the country says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.  “These highs blocked the tropical rain makers and stopped southern rain bands from heading north – spring was dry”.

“As soon as December arrived the highs changed tack and headed over the Southland or even south of New Zealand.  When this shift happened it opened up the North Island and upper South Island to sub-tropical rain events and easterlies, which is why summer has been so wet so far”.

Mr Duncan says this has been the case since early December – until this week.

“This week a large high pushes in from the west and the centre of the high will cross the central or upper North Island around Wednesday”.

While highs don’t always guarantee sunny weather – especially in coastal areas such as Auckland where cloudy conditions sometimes prevail – it is predicted to bring a much drier, calmer and warmer week to many North Island regions.

However some rain bands will still get in.

Rain or showers are likely in the lower South Island later this week with the chance of showers spreading up eastern areas towards the weekend.

“It”s possible a few isolated showers may pop up in the North Island too, but for 90% of the island the week ahead looks significantly more summer-like than the previous few weeks” says Mr Duncan.

– Homepage image / File, Zelda Wynn

– WeatherWatch.co.nz