KEY POINTS:
More rain is on the way this week for most parts of the country as a low pressure system forms and hugs the nation's west coast.
As I said last week, while conditions are certainly hot and dry we are still seeing some favourable conditions with roughly one rain bearing front moving through each week. It's keeping the west coast of the country, including Auckland, partially watered and while some areas would love a little more it seems to be a relatively healthy set up at this stage.
Even the parched eastern areas of New Zealand should get some rain this week, most likely between Tuesday and early Wednesday, as this low and associated fronts pass over. It may just be enough to bring a touch of green to some areas but it's not going to be anything substantial.
But boy isn't that sun packing some heat at the moment? Any rain that does fall won't last long under this heat - and with more strong northerlies for a number of central and eastern areas early this week that spells high temperatures again. Highs around 28, 29 and 30 seem a little old hat now after several weeks of them already!
The basic set up for this week is for a low to form in the Tasman Sea during Monday. That will move over the country during Tuesday with rain heavier in the west and lighter in the east. By Wednesday it'll be moving out into the Pacific Ocean while a high moves up over the South Island and into the North Island - bringing more hot, sunny, weather into Wednesday and Thursday.
But long range weather charts are certainly showing there's a fair amount of unrest to the north and west of New Zealand. That's good news for people wanting rain. The highs seem to be passing by and allowing these lows to move in quickly and sprinkle some water over us.
There could be more rain later in the week, maybe on Friday or Saturday for north western parts of New Zealand and possibly other areas. Again the east and south east are likely to be driest as the week progresses.
Northern New Zealand is also in for some pretty hot nights this week. You're going to want those fans running as overnight lows barely dip below 17 or 18 Monday and Tuesday nights. Similar temperatures return later in the week too as that next (possible) low moves in from the north west.
Humidity will also be high in the north of the country thanks to that low developing today. Humidity can really make conditions feel a lot hotter. The air temperature might only be 24 but with high humidity it can feel more like 32.
Summer's certainly kicked off in style.
Philip Duncan
Pictured above: Sheltering from the sun on a summer day at Muriwai Beach. Photo / Dean Purcell
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