A large high pressure system in the Tasman Sea is trying to push into New Zealand and should bring a mostly dry start to the weekend – but it’s unlikely to stay that way.

The frustrating thing for many needing rain is that this is unlikely to help much.

On Saturday drizzle patches are likely to start popping up here and there while on Sunday a few more showers will be thrown into the mix.

But a southerly change will again see temperatures drop.  Dunedin has a high of 14 on Sunday while Christchurch only reaches 15 at this stage, due to cloud and drizzle patches about.

The cooler southerly will also reach Wellington late Saturday meaning the highs will go from 19 on Saturday to 16 on Sunday.

Across northern New Zealand and a few showers are in the mix on Sunday but possibly not until the end of the day.  On Saturday highs in the mid 20s are expected across Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Showers will be welcome – but they are unlikely to have much affect on water tanks or soil moisture levels.

An ex tropical cyclone may affect New Zealand around March 14 to 17 says WeatherWatch.co.nz. Latest models are all agreeing a fairly deep tropical low is likely to brush near or directly impact the country around then – but as with any tropical low a slight jog east or west can mean the difference between a direct hit and nothing at all.  One to watch.

– Image:  File / Zach Knight

– WeatherWatch.co.nz