Here’s what is making the weather headlines this weekend….

THUNDERSTORM RISK EASING BUT STILL THERE

Instability is easing for western regions today but there is still some, Waikato northwards especially has a reasonable amount of instability still.

For today’s chances please check the thunderstorm outlook from Metservice here.

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SOIL MOISTURE LEVELS GOOD

Most regions around New Zealand are sitting on good soil moisture levels compared to the statistical average. Some North Island areas are still holding a high amount of moisture however due to weather conditions earlier this year so drier weather especially in the east won’t be unwelcome, especially northern Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.

The eastern South Island is looking to get some rain today and into tomorrow, easing Friday. Good mushroom hunting weather coming up perhaps.

Below is a map from NIWA, the light blue and dark blue colours show that there is a surplus in soil moisture for those areas. The West Coast though can often sit in a surplus this time of year but conditions are looking wetter than the norm. Southland is now reaching into a slight surplus for some spots compared to the statistical average which is a turn around. Northland especially in the west, perhaps this area could actually do with a little more rain.

While central Otago is a bit dry looking, statistically this is normal, in fact it can be a touch drier in an average year.

Our second map below on the right is our familiar “Precipitation percentage of normal chart”, this goes from today through to Wednesday 19th April. Blue colouring means more rain is expected than the statistical average, white is an average amount of rain, red is drier conditions than normal. The more intense the colour the more either scenario is true.

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HIGH PRESSURE FOR THE WEEKEND

High pressure moves in this coming weekend, or sits out just to our east more or less. The South Island is looking settled however Saturday may see coastal cloud in the west and east then breaking away, also look for a touch of high cloud on both days. Both mornings could see mist or fog patches also for inland areas.

The North Island will likely see cloud in the east and northeast in an easterly airflow, perhaps a little blustery at times. The northeast implying East Cape through to Northland. Also look for a few showers moving in at times. Western regions from Taranaki through to Wellington look dry with sun but expect some high cloud.

The far south is my pick for the best weather this weekend, Southland and Otago should have the trifecta of sunniest skies, warmest temperatures (late teens / early twenties) and lightest winds. Just coastal Otago may see a breezy northeasterly however and with that comes cooler temperatures.

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