An uptick of weather activity is on the way for Aotearoa – with the northern part of the country set for a soaking this weekend.
According to MetService, rain is likely to hit many places today.
But over the weekend, a low pressure system is forecast to approach and then cross northern New Zealand from the northwest.
An associated front is expected to bring a burst of heavy rain to northern regions.
“It’s looking like the kind of weekend where any recently sown spring plants won’t have a shortage of water,” said MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane.
There is a heavy rain watch in place for Coromandel Peninsula for 12 hours from 11pm tomorrow.
The low pressure system forms to the northwest of the North Island, slowly moving eastwards across the island, then parking just north of the Bay of Plenty on Monday and Tuesday.
It is expected to be the main player in the island’s wet weather all the way into mid-next week.
MetService described the system on X (formerly Twitter) as “potential severe weather bringer”.
On Monday and Tuesday the wettest weather is expected for Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa.
“What’s of particular interest is the way this rain-bringing weather system lingers, increasing the likelihood of higher rainfall for these areas,” said Makgabutlane.
“There is still some uncertainty around this weather system, however, so keeping up to date with the latest forecasts will be key over the coming days.”
The low pressure system is not associated with Tropical Cyclone Mal, which was reclassified to a extra tropical low today and is expected to continue southeastward away from New Zealand.
"People are advised to keep up to date with forecasts as changes could be made," said MetService.
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