WeatherWatch.co.nz is today predicting an increased likelihood of unsettled weather coming towards New Zealand in the coming 10 days – and it’s somewhat related to the Queensland floods.

The warmer than average sea temperatures off eastern Australia – all part of La Nina’s effect in our part of the world – are responsible for producing a number of major rain makers in the Australia state – causing flooding not seen before in the region.

This coming week high air pressure – which acts as a wall blocking rainmakers – will clear New Zealand to the east, allowing a path of low resistance for fronts and lows coming out of the northern Tasman Sea/Coral Sea area.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts that by the end of this week high humidity, cloud and nor’easters will return to many parts of New Zealand – especially the upper North Island.

At this early stage it’s too hard to know if we’ll get rain, or simply thick cloud and a little drizzle.  Either way, this link up to the weather in Queensland could result in much needed rain moving back into Northland, Waikato and other fairly dry regions in the coming weeks.

But as we’ve seen in Queensland, too much rain can cause serious problems. 

Winds from the easterly quarter will affect Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Islands for at least a week, starting from this Wednesday.  The wind can be unpleasant for campers along the east coast, bringing lower daytime highs, more cloud cover and choppier seas.

WeatherWatch.co.nz will closely monitor this new shift in our weather pattern and will bring you more updates throughout the coming week.  

In the meantime – make the most of the sunny, hot, calm weather which is forecast to stick around until at least Wednesday.

– Homepage image / File, Franz Krippner