New Zealand has bit hit hard by Mother Nature this week, from the deadly Magnitude 7.8 earthquake to the hundreds of powerful aftershocks, tens of thousands of landslides and of course hail, thunderstorms and flash flooding in our nation’s capital. 

Today WeatherWatch.co.nz finally has a positive outlook for those most in need – from those hit by the earthquakes or those sick of the rain.

EARTHQUAKE AREAS
South Island: Today is the worst day of the week weather-wise for Kaikoura and other South Island centres affected by the damaging quake on Monday morning. Strong, cold southerlies and rain and showers will continue across today. While it will be below ‘severe’ it will certainly be ‘miserable’ for most along the coast – and overnight lows tonight in the South Island may be just 2 to 6 degrees…but Friday does look much warmer.  The good news is, it all eases later today – and by tomorrow it’s back to dry.

North Island: In Wellington the miserable South Island weather is coming your way for Thursday PM – but will also ease overnight and into Friday – and while the rain and winds may cause pockets of small problems it shouldn’t be anywhere near as intense as the weather on Tuesday in the Capital. Southerly gales are likely tonight, gradually easing after midnight.

THOSE SICK OF RAIN IN BOTH ISLANDS – DRY WEATHER IS COMING
Dry weather is on the way. Places like Nelson and Wellington are saturated – considerably wetter than average for this time of the year and they could do with dry weather. From Saturday to next Wednesday conditions look dry for most parts of New Zealand – the exception will be this weekend with showers on the West Coast around Greymouth and perhaps Taranaki and some rain around Fiordland.

Next week – mainly Monday to Wednesday – expect high pressure to dominate both islands, especially the North Island, with mainly or completely dry weather in most if not all centres.

Not only is this forecast a positive one for those living in the earthquake hit regions, but also farmers and growers in most regions across the country – and the authorities tasked with fixing the damaged infrastructure between Kaikoura and Wellington.

– Image / Next Tuesday shows a big high in charge of NZ

– WeatherWatch.co.nz