A question mark still hangs over the Thursday forecast for parched farms in Northland.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says a low in the southern Tasman Sea will today approach Fiordland and attached to it are a number of weak fronts.  The computer models are still undecided as to how much rain will make it to Northland and other dry North Island farms.

Weather analyst Philip Duncan says high air pressure over the northern Tasman Sea will make it hard work for the fronts to approach.

“A front moving through high pressure is a bit like running in a swimming pool.  Eventually you give up”.

Mr Duncan says a few showers are possible however the further away you are from the centre of the depression the lower the chances are for rain.  “The depression is the energy maker – so the further away you are, like Northland, then the lower the chances are of rain”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes a few spits of rain are possible on Thursday night or early Friday morning however it’s too early to be sure as the systems are very slow moving.