A new neighbour has moved in north east of New Zealand – a very large low pressure system, the first of its kind this year.   The low has been churning off the north east coast for two days and is set to drift closer to the country this weekend bringing rough weather to some – and much needed rain to others.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the low is clearly visible on satellite maps north east of East Cape and will slowly drift south west towards the country over the next day or two and deepen as it does so.

The low is expected to bring much needed rain to dry parts of Gisborne and Hawkes Bay with MetService hinting that rain warnings may be likely about the ranges and hill country.

A rainbow over Lake Waikaremoana, Hawkes Bay.  Image / WeatherWatch.co.nz

A large high in the Tasman Sea will drift on to southern New Zealand and between the two systems a strong southerly will develop.  Southerlies will reach gale force in Wellington on Saturday with rain too.  A high in the low to mid teens is expected.

For tomorrow’s Big Day Out in Auckland there may be the odd shower but the day is expected to be largely dry with fairly cloudy skies and a developing southerly.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the low will probably be too far south east from Northland to bring any real relief however next week a new low is expected in the Tasman Sea – again for the first time this year – and may bring in some rain around Thursday.