Despite rain warnings for the West Coast recently and potentially again later this week northern New Zealand is still missing out on the bulk of rain due to large highs says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

The weather news authority says most rain bands this month have been coming in from the west or south west and that has limited the amount of rain reaching northern New Zealand.

Fronts at this time of the year often lack the energy to make it to northern New Zealand, frequently delivering torrential rain for the West Coast but just showers or drizzle for regions north of about Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

While droughts aren’t imminent the lack of significant rain lately is being noticed by farmers and those who rely on rain water and rain would be very welcome anytime soon.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the next shot of rain will be on Thursday afternoon for northern New Zealand but again it looks as though the front will be weakening to showers or patchy light rain as it quickly passes by.

Another chance of rain is on the cards for midway through next week but the models have been fairly inconsistent for this event.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts the spring weather conditions will continue into the first half of December at least but more highs are predicted to extend the dry spell for northern New Zealand.

Highs north of New Zealand have been common so far this spring, sheltered northern New Zealand from southern rain bands and stopping lows from developing or moving into the sub-tropics near the North Island.

It appears that the weak La Nina is so far having little effect on the weather over New Zealand.

– Homepage image / Zelda Wynn

– WeatherWatch.co.nz