Northern NZ set for another soaking

Another soaking is on the way for northern and western regions as a large area of unstable air creates a low pressure system in the northern Tasman Sea. This low will again pull down tropical moisture and potentially dump heavy rain over northern New Zealand. In fact, according to MetService's latest Severe Weather Outlook it may affect the same 3 regions that received heavy rain last Friday night and Saturday - Northland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

There's quite a good chance that heavy rain warnings will be put in place for Northland at this stage so we've created a link for those wanting to watch the movement of this low and any rain warnings associated with it - you'll find it's updated here.

It appears La Nina has taken a firm hold of New Zealand this February and March and is a completely different set up to this time last year when highs were holding firm over the country, blocking lows from moving in. This year the highs are timid and are zipping through quickly allowing these lows to move in.

Because much of the Tasman Sea will be exposed to the development of rain clouds the West Coast of the South Island may also be in the firing line with western areas potentially getting a drenching this Friday or weekend.

After the heavy rain last week Northlanders may possibly see more flooding from this system so it's one to keep an eye on. Other regions can probably relax a little more at this point - but check that link above for updates in case things change. It looks like a slow moving system.

It could be another wet Saturday too... with so many events on at the moment and with at least another month of "summer like" weather on the way some of us may already be over these downpours. The 7 day cycle has returned, with a rain bearing front moving through around once a week...and wouldn't you know it - it's happening every weekend. I was chatting to my colleague Richard Green the other day and we were finding it remarkable how so many weather events seem to happen on Fridays and Saturdays. It's funny how mother nature knows how to grind our gears sometimes.

One positive note about this wetter weather is that it's warmer again...positive for those who don't want Summer to fade that is. Temperatures have been close to 30 in Kaitaia lately with many private weather stations in Auckland reaching 28 & 29 these past few days.

This low is going to bring that humidity back so using our humidex calculator we can predict temperatures will feel like the low possibly mid 30s again for northern regions. Meanwhile the South Island can enjoy warmer northerlies after a cold February. Temperatures should be back into the 20s during the day for a number of places which to many will be a much welcome return.

By the way, great to see so many contributing about last weekends warnings. If you have any comments to add please post them here.

Top photo: Flooding in Katikati last saturday. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times