WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters are keeping a close eye on two lows that are both likely to affect northern New Zealand in the coming seven days.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says North Island drought regions may soon be facing rain warnings as two lows, one possibly a storm, head towards the upper North Island.

“We’re watching a low that, across Thursday night and Friday morning, may bring heavy rain to north eastern parts of Northland and gale force winds to exposed parts of the upper North Island.  Currently we have 90% confidence of rain and isolated thunderstorms affecting northern and north eastern parts of New Zealand in the 24 hours from noon Thursday but only limited falls and a lower chance for Auckland”.

But Mr Duncan says that this may simply be the entree to a possible storm event next week.  “The computer models have been mapping the same prediction for a number of days now – that a deep and large area of low pressure will bring widespread rain and strong to gale force winds to northern New Zealand next week, mostly likely Monday to Wednesday”.

He says while long range computer models can change, the current weather patterns, with last weeks low and tomorrows low, show that rain bands coming from the north west of New Zealand are becoming consistent.

“Farmers suffering from droughts should now be prepared for much wetter conditions with the possibility of heavy rains causing some isolated flooding within the next week”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz advises all residents in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, East Cape and Hawkes Bay to especially be aware of weather warnings issued by MetService.

Currently MetService is predicting a “moderate” chance of rain warnings being issued from Thursday night’s event and are also hinting at the bigger system next week bringing more widespread severe weather.