According to the NOAA Supercomputer’s medium range forecast model, rain which finally started falling today in drought affected Wellington, is likely to hang around for some time.
The final vestiges of the rain system presently over the country are not forecast to leave the country till next week. Meanwhile South Island farmers will be pleased to learn that at long last some rain is forecast for the drought affected South Island East Coast, and that more rain is forecast for the following weekend as well.
The image below shows rain falling across most of the country on Saturday May 5.
The following links show the forecast progression of the rain event over New Zealand between now and Monday May 7th.
Today
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may3rd1.gif
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may3rd2.gif
Tomorrow
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may4th1.gif
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may4th2.gif
Saturday
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may5th1.gif
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may5th2.gif
Sunday
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may6th1.gif
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may6th2.gif
Monday
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may7th1.gif
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may7th2.gif
At the extreme outer limit of the NOAA supercomputer’s model another rain system is forecast to arrive across the Tasman Sea around Sunday May 13th. This system, shown in the image below, is even larger than the system presently approaching New Zealand.
For more images of the May 13th rain system click on the following links:
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may13th1.gif
http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/maydayweather/may13th2.gif