It’s the news farmers and residents have been waiting to hear – rain is finally in the forecast this week for the dry northern half of New Zealand according to both WeatherWatch.co.nz and MetService.

Head weather analyst at WeatherWatch.co.nz, Philip Duncan, says some “good” rain falls are likely on the way.  “We’re cautiously optimistic that this approaching low may bring much needed rain to northern New Zealand on Tuesday or Wednesday.  The past few computer runs are all showing a 70 to 90% chance of rain over northern New Zealand with some good rainfalls expected in embedded thunderstorms”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz currently has high confidence of rain in Auckland in their latest forecast.

MetService also expects heavy rain with their latest forecast predicting “Rain developing, some heavy falls” for Northland on Tuesday.  It’s a similar forecast as far south as Hamilton with rain arriving later on Tuesday further south.

Mr Duncan says while it’s still 36 to 48 hours away, and past rain bands have weakened before making landfall in the north, the weather maps are looking quite promising.  “The current predictions are showing a pattern of agreement, this is the most positive looking rain band in months”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz will be closely watching the computer models over the next two days and will bring you updates if there is any weakening or strengthening of predicted rainfall in the computer models.