The second sub-tropical low in one week is predicted to cross northern New Zealand late on Sunday and into Monday bringing a period of heavy rain to a number of popular camping spots.

Rain is expected to move across the Bay of Islands, the eastern Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne starting in the north late Sunday and leaving Gisborne early Tuesday.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says heavy rain may be a dampener for some but it should be relatively short lived.  “We’re not expecting several wet days, just one very wet one”.  Winds aren’t expected to be too strong and Mr Duncan says it shouldn’t affect holiday plans very much.  “Sure it’ll be a bit damp but I doubt it’ll cause any camping problems.  A few people mind find out their tents aren’t waterproof though”.

Mr Duncan recommends holidaymakers keep a close eye on the latest weather news at weatherwatch.co.nz and listen out for any government issued weather warnings. 

State owned forecaster, MetService, has issued a ‘weather watch’ for heavy rain across north eastern parts of the country with a low to moderate risk that rain warnings will be issued.

The predicted rain is more good news for dry farms across East Cape which are nearing drought conditions. “Early indications are that Gisborne may receive more from this system than the last one”.

Meanwhile weather conditions for New Year’s Eve still look hot and dry for most places.  “As we predicted first earlier in the week a strong nor’west flow will build over the country and we’re still expecting highs near 30 for most eastern areas and winds becoming blustery in Wellington”.

Mr Duncan expects warm and humid conditions for many regions with temperatures at midnight to be in the late teens.

Rain or showers are possible for Southland and the West Coast on New Year’s Eve while in Auckland partly cloudy conditions are likely along with warm, humid, nor’westers.