There has certainly been no shortage of high pressure systems this summer but unlike a year ago there have been some big rain makers in the mix.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says that for the rest of March a series of large highs will move in from the west. 

“There will be the continued dominance of high air pressure meaning mostly dry weather for the rest of March, but a few weak lows and fronts will be in the mix too, bringing some rain” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

This time last year high pressure remained steady over New Zealand while this year the highs are moving through at a faster rate.  “We’re seeing the weather patterns moving much faster this year compared to last, however we expect April to see wetter weather – just like 2010”.

Typically the months get wetter as we head towards winter and away from summer as more lows move in from the Southern Ocean and Tasman Sea.

Highs don’t always mean settled, sunny, weather however.  “The fast movement of these highs means that we’re not getting just the calming section in the middle – we’re also frequently getting the outer fringes which are often cloudy, windy and, in the South Island, can produce cool southerlies as they move in” says Mr Duncan.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Image — Weather map for next Wednesday March 30th showing a large high moving in from Australia / ECMWF