Predictive rain maps at WeatherWatch.co.nz show something we haven’t seen once this year – a sizeable low with widespread heavy rain moving in to the North Island.

While WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters remain somewhat conservative with their predictions, advising some farmers they may not all get the rainfall totals they need, the weather news authority is confident that all drought regions will receive some rain from the low.

Image / 6am Monday and what a sight for sore (or perhaps ‘dry’) eyes!  Image / Weathermap

“We expect showers and patchy rain to become more widespread overnight Monday and into Tuesday with gusty winds as the centre of the sub-tropical low moves in” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan.

The winds may be strong enough to break boats from their moorings but widespread wind damage isn’t expected.  WeatherWatch.co.nz says gusts in exposed areas may reach 100km/h but most populated places, like Auckland, are more likely to get gusts to 80km/h,

Mr Duncan says the low will bring widespread rain to the North Island with most – if not all – of the island under rain clouds on Tuesday.

Heavy rain will also affect the upper South Island, especially the Nelson ranges says WeatherWatch.co.nz. “The north west corner of the South Island is where the low is likely to make landfall, this is also where we expect some of the heaviest downpours”.

“By Wednesday the rain will be easing to showers so we have at least two days of rain or showers for all of the drought regions”

Mr Duncan says more showers are expected on Friday with another Tasman Sea low expected next weekend.

“This is the beginning of the end for most of the droughts – this sub-tropical low may well be followed by a much more unsettled weather pattern bringing more and more rain. Autumn is here, dry summer has gone”.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz