No rain in sight all week for most of the country's drought-stricken areas

Most of the country is a sea of brown after very little rain fall in the past month. Photo / Alan Gibson

Brown grass and empty water tanks around the country are set to stay that way for the next week as the hot, dry weather continues.

The weekend's fleeting wet spell is a distant memory with the chance of any decent rain unlikely for the next week, according to MetService.

The only exception is the west coast of the South Island such as Fiordland where rain is set to pelt down on Thursday.

MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam said the active front spreading up the South Island this week would peter off as it moves north and reaches the other dry areas.

But for the rest of the country the sun would continue to shine.

"It is much of the same. The weather pattern doesn't really change."

"There might be a few showers here or there, but nothing significant. We need decent spells of rain for these places don't we?"

High pressure precisely placed over NZ is keeping skies clear. Zooming out, we can take a look at the weather to come - frontal ☁ south of Oz is tracking east and expected to reach the lower SI on Thursday. Until then though - dry and warm. ^Tahlia pic.twitter.com/VwxatPGTCF

— MetService (@MetService) February 25, 2020

The isolated showers forecast for Northland and central inland areas later this week would be few and far between.

"When they are isolated most people won't probably see them."

Bellam said while it was good news for people on holiday overseas, it wouldn't be for farmers or people living off water tanks.

Watching for rain 🌧️ later this week for the west of the South Island. Why? A bit of help 👇. pic.twitter.com/L2v68WxI9m

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 25, 2020

Wednesday is forecast to be the hottest day for Auckland and tipped to reach 28C, with Hamilton set down for 30C. Whāngarei, Tauranga and Wellington will reach 29C on Saturday.

The country finally saw some rain on Saturday breaking Auckland's record 47-day dry run.