Some parts of New Zealand have had a lot of rain lately – or at least plenty of days with wet weather in them. We’ve noticed an increase in questions lately asking when the sun and dry are coming back. The good news is there’s plenty of dry weather coming this week. The bad news is that some of the wettest places aren’t yet finished with the downpours.

But let’s focus on the sun and dry:

Noon Wednesday:High pressure over the South Island means light winds inland and plenty of clear skies. Very frosty too. Some coastal breezes may see cloudy areas but much of the country is dry, including most of the North Island. However, as you can see, a narrow band of rain or showers will be affecting some parts of Northland, Auckland region, Coromandel Peninsula, East Cape, Gisborne and maybe even Northern Hawkes Bay still….sorry!

12 Noon Thursday

Again the South Island is dry (with the exception of Fiordland later). Also most of the North Island is dry, but that pesky (shakes fist at sky) narrow area of rain or showers in the north east of the country remains. It will be carried westwards in the easterly flow but will dry out as it heads that way meaning those along the Tasman Sea should have a dry, or nearly completely dry, day – perhaps a few spill over downpours from the east here and there but a day of rain unlikely.

12 Noon Friday

The nation is mainly dry – but not completely dry. Many areas do have frosty mornings and sun, or at least dry. But the rain clouds in Fiordland may see a few spits here and there in Southland (nothing much) and possibly South Westland later. Also – the wet weather in the north east of the North Island may not be showing up when we took this image for Friday but the rain clouds are hovering very close offshore – so we cannot rule out more wet weather around places like Bay of Plenty and East Cape, Gisborne or even Auckland on Friday.  It may not be very widespread, but it may not be completely dry for everyone either – just a disclaimer in case that is the day you choose to take your convertible classic car out for a leisurely drive.

With high pressure pushing into the South Island on Tuesday and into the lower and central North Island mid-week some people may have several dry days ahead. 

Keep an eye on the percentage (%) of rain in all 1500 of the 10 day forecasts available at WeatherWatch.co.nz and from our free App.  Any days under 20% usually means mostly or even completely dry. The risk for wettest weather is often 60% and above. Couple the % of rain with the rain maps and it’s a great way to work out just how likely rain is at your place this week – also how long lasting and how wet any rainy weather might be.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz, maps by Weathermap.co.nz