Southerly will bring more rain

Photo / Glenn Taylor

A low-pressure system northerly which brought a healthy dose of rain to Hawke's Bay yesterday is set to be replaced by a southerly system - bearing more rain.

However, the variables of the weather at a time of the year where winter is being blended into spring is best illustrated by the predictions from the MetService and Weatherwatch.

Just how much rain will spread across the region during the coming weekend is something of a point of difference.

While both are forecasting tomorrow to be mainly fine with the possibility of showers, there is a spot of climatic conflict over Saturday and Sunday.

The Weatherwatch forecasters are predicting a mainly fine day on Saturday but with the possibility of showers as a southwesterly system moves across the North Island, affecting mainly eastern areas.

The forecast for Sunday is for mainly sunshine but with cloud still hanging around.

The MetService forecast is less optimistic.

Saturday and Sunday for the twin cities is for showers with fresh southerly winds.

Both agencies, however, agree on the forecast for the start of the working week and the news is good for those keen to see some more consistent sun again.

Fine with little wind, sunshine and temperatures of 14C.

And the long-range forecast through the rest of the week is also for fair weather.

The northerly low saw 10.4mm of rainfall in Napier by noon yesterday and 13.8mm in Hastings.

At 10am Hastings topped the list as the wettest spot in the country, and the humidity reading for Napier reflected the sub-tropical origins of the damp northerly system, at 97 per cent.