Barely 12 hours since the last storm moved off the country and another one is waiting in the wings. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz has increasing confidence that a large area of low pressure in the Tasman Sea will move over New Zealand starting Thursday in the South Island and spreading in to the North Island on Friday and Saturday.

Heavy rain is likely to develop along the South Island’s west coast on Thursday then the North Island on Friday.  The concern will be the southerly change following it which may again bring snow to the Central Plateau and Hawkes Bay ranges.

In yesterday’s Severe Weather Outlook MetService not only had some confidence of heavy rain across both islands but also of heavy snow on Saturday around the central North Island.

The good news for farmers is that MetService’s confidence is “low” at this stage and the altitude snow will fall to is 700 metres.  A significant jump on the 300 metre level on Sunday and Monday.

However WeatherWatch.co.nz says either way you look at it the low is likely to bring an unsettled end to the week and weekend. 

A large high looks set to return on Monday just as kids head back to school.