The skies are brooding over northern New Zealand this morning as a deep low, which rapidly developed yesterday and overnight, moves closer to Northland.

But despite the dark skies and building nor’easters WeatherWatch.co.nz maintains that not all of northern New Zealand is in for rain this weekend – including not all of Northland.

The latest weather data has very low expectations of significant rain over the next 48 hours with the deep low running into high air pressure and stalling.

“Rain bands moving through high air pressure are like people running in a swimming poll, it’s not easy and eventually you quickly stop” says weather analyst Philip Duncan.  “The low is going to stall for a couple of days just short of bringing widespread rain this weekend to the northern half of the North Island”.

Mr Duncan says while some isolated heavy falls are expected in some parts of northern Northland, particularly the Far North, farmers and other residents needing water may need to wait a little longer yet.

“Mid next week is looking more promising for good rainfall over the upper North Island.  One thing to be positive about is that the weather patterns are finally changing and it’s still very warm…encouraging grass growth”.