Covering period of Thursday 19th - Monday 23rd March

A settled weekend with loads of sunshine is on the cards for most of Aotearoa New Zealand as a ridge of high pressure settles in. This will be welcome news to planners and attendees of an event stacked weekend. As with most weather matters, however, the devil is in the details.

Today (Thursday) the east coast of the North Island will see a few spots of rain as a subtropical low-pressure system narrowly skirts offshore. This low-pressure system directs moisture laden southeasterly winds towards the east coast, which will strengthen as they squeeze past East Cape.

On Friday, its Canterbury’s turn to be clogged in cloud as the winds turn more southerly, with some showers and drizzle about the High Country and foothills.

MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley comments, “The Autumn Equinox is on Saturday, and it’s certainly starting to feel like autumn. The days are getting shorter and cooler; toadstools are beginning to pop up under the trees; and we’ve had a few foggy starts around the country as the ground cools more overnight.”

Polyfest in Auckland has some stunning sunshine to end the week, and the tractors will be shining at the Central Districts Field Days in Fielding as cloud clears in the afternoon. It might be worth having a raincoat ready for Synthony in Auckland or Nightglow in Waikato. At this stage there is a chance of a shower, but still plenty of dry weather about. Our experts will be keeping a close eye on it, so remember to check the forecast on the day.

On Sunday, a band of rain sweeps through Southland, but with the high pressure firmly in charge there is minimal risk of severe weather for the next few days.

Monday is World Meteorological Day, Otago Anniversary Day and the Maadi Regattakicks off at LakeRuataniwha inTwizel. While next week starts with settled weather and high pressure, thesecond half of the week brings the potential for some wetter and windier conditions.

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