New Zealand is now truly sliding into a drier weather pattern for the remainder of the month, with the next chance of more widespread rain not until the final days of February, or potentially early March.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says there will be isolated showers around today and Tuesday, some heavy around inland parts of the North Island ranges, especially in the upper north (Waikato northwards).  Yesterday afternoon (Sunday) cloud build ups saw torrential downpours affecting parts of Northland with one kumara farmer telling us 50mm of rain had fallen on their dry property.

However the heavy downpours look set to become more isolated as this week progresses, with no real rain for New Zealand for the next couple of weeks.

A front may brush Southland mid this week but it’s unlikely to send rain too much further north into the driest areas.

So, for now, WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters are closely watching the potential for a sub-tropical rain maker moving towards New Zealand in the final days of this month – but still far too early to lock in any specifics or levels of high confidence.

Apart from the risk of a shower, North Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough and Wairarapa all look mainly dry for the next 10 days.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz