The Return Of The Sun For Waitangi Day

Waitangi treaty grounds have had been soaked twice in the past week and are being soaked again today. MetService meteorologists are forecasting a brisk southwest wind to sweep across the area on Thursday and cool things down and dry out the paddocks. Sunny weather with lower humidity should return for this year's ceremonies on Friday.

"Today's rain over the North Island marks an end to the recent pattern of humid wet weather," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "By Saturday the dry northwest winds are expected to return to the South Island, and rain bands for the next week or two are expected to be rather weak."

Areas north of a line from New Plymouth to Hamilton to Tauranga have already had their average February rainfall since last Friday. The rest of the North Island had between 15 and 50mm and eastern areas of the South Island had between 10 and 40mm.

For Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago this is enough rain to put them in-between being too dry and being sufficient, but the return of the northwest winds should bring a rapid rise in the fire risk again next week.

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