Fine Waitangi Day weather for most of NZ

APNZ

5 Feb, 2014 05:21 AMQuick Read

The forecast around the country for the next few days looks a little unsettled but mostly dry., A weak area of low pressure will try to push south over the next week – and may bring rain or showers to the Gisborne area. Many other places look dry for the days ahead, with a risk of a few isolated heat showers popping up by the weekend or early next week as the sub-tropical system (which is very weak) slowly pushes closer to the north eastern corner of the North Island. The South Island has a cool southerly which will fade out on Waitangi Day – then high pressure should move in until next week.

Waitangi Day celebrations in the Far North could be hampered by some showers, but it should be a good day elsewhere in the country, MetService says.

Meteorologist Daniel Corbett said there could well be a few showers during the day in Waitangi and Northland for events place there tomorrow.

"Waitangi Day should be a great day for outdoor plans over many parts of the country except the Far North and east, where there could be a wee bit of wet weather,'' he said,

The large high that has kept the rain at bay would gradually build across the South Island in the coming days.

However, by Friday a moist easterly flow, associated with a subtropical weather system, was likely to sink down from the Far North across central parts of the North Island to bring spells of rain or showers.

"This brief wet spell should gradually shift to the east coast of the North Island by Saturday, before clearing away as the high gains a grip on the rest of the country for early next week,'' Mr Corbett said.