The month of may is kicking off dry for most regions with below average rainfall expected over NZ for the rest of this week, this weekend and through most of next week too.

As has been the pattern all year, high pressure continues to dominate with WeatherWatch.co.nz saying the size and power of the anticyclones in recent weeks have been bigger than normal. While nights are colder than average in a number of regions the days ahead look increasingly warmer with warmer than average afternoons spreading into more places.

Not every region is dry however, rain will still affect parts of the country – but only a small area and an area no stranger to rain. This weekend rain will move up the southern half (mostly) of the West Coast with heavy falls around Fiordland. But there is unlikely to be much spillover into the east or north with high pressure remaining dominant over the North Island for at least the next 10 days.

It’s unclear why the highs this year are more consistent and powerful, but WeatherWatch.co.nz says our nation’s small size means a run of highs or lows can very quickly control our weather. Some long range data does suggest a large Tasman Sea low may affect New Zealand perhaps next weekend (not this weekend) as certainly energy is building to out west over the coming week for a low and rain maker to grow.

NEXT 7 DAYS: Expected Rainfall compared to normal for early May:
Red = Much drier than normal, White = Average rainfall, Blue – Above usual rainfall.

-WeatherWatch.co.nz