Yesterday WeatherWatch.co.nz talked about the incoming high not being one that will bring perfectly sunny conditions to all of New Zealand (particularly western New Zealand).

Some people refer to these highs as “dirty” highs with plenty of cloud trapped underneath them – and even the odd shower.  Basically this high is “locking in” the cloud and shower blown over the Tasman but this week’s southerly change.

The resolution of the day to day satellite images weather websites run aren’t especially high – and a quick glance to our satellite map on the right hand side of the page shows a faint grey shading covering much of the Tasman Sea (and east of the Chatham Islands too in the Pacific Ocean).  This indicates low level cloud.

However this high resolution image (below) of New Zealand, provided by NASA and taken yesterday, shows just how solid those Tasman Sea clouds really are.

It also clearly illustrates how the sou’wester can’t push those low clouds into places like Nelson, Marlborough, Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Taupo and Bay of Plenty – due to the hills to the west.

Image / NASA

– WeatherWatch.co.nz