This long weekend the weather across New Zealand is looking mostly settled and dry…with exception of the very upper North Island, including Waitangi itself.

A large but fairly weak Tasman Sea low will merge with more low pressure this weekend and track just north of Northland over Saturday and Sunday.

Keep in mind high pressure dominates for most other places further south – so despite headlines elsewhere the long weekend is not looking like a washout for all holidaymakers.

However there may be a few heavy downpours in the north of New Zealand, especially on Saturday.  Highest risk regions for Rain are NORTHLAND, AUCKLAND and COROMANDEL PENINSULA in that order.  There will be a mix of very localised heavy rain – and showers elsewhere. Friday and Saturday see the highest risk for precipitation.

The humid easterlies may produce a shower elsewhere – like Bay of Plenty or East Cape, Hawkes Bay area – otherwise dry.

Due to the large pool of low pressure north east of Bay of Plenty on Monday there is the chance some rain or showers could swing back into the east of the upper North Island – but latest models pick a mainly dry day.  It’s one of those ‘watch this space’ forecasts, but for the past few days this has been the likely theme.

Generally, the highest chance of rain is this Friday – where rain or showers may spread as far south as Taranaki from the Tasman Low.  

The low itself is tracking north of NZ from the Tasman Sea – bunny hopping around Northland.

Driest, sunniest, weather this long weekend will be in the South Island and the lower North Island.

Most northern holiday spots (north of Taupo) will see a mix of cloud and sun with a few downpours. Driest weather at this stage looks to be developing on Sunday and into Monday.

To make sense of it all – check out the rain maps by weathermap – you can find them here and in our maps tab in our free app.

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RAINMAPS FOR 1PM EACH DAY…

FRIDAY:

SATURDAY:

 

SUNDAY:

 

MONDAY:

 

– WeatherWatch.co.nz