New Zealand is in for two very different weekends of weather, depending on which island you live on.
A record amount of rainfall is expected to fall over the Tasman Sea in the next few days - more than 150mm, according to Weather Watch.
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However a stubborn high pressure system around New Zealand will keep rain at bay for most of the country - but not all.
The high pressure mean a "muggy" weekend for the North Island, with warm humid air keeping temperatures above average. The hottest spot will be Hastings with a high of 29degC.
The weather should remain settled for much of the island, with cloudy mornings and sunny afternoons likely. However there is a chance of thunderstorms rolling across the Central Plateau on Thursday evening.
Weather Watch says the stream of high pressure flowing over the country has come straight from south of Australia, and is expected to hang around for the rest of March.
But further down the country, things are about to get wet.
A heavy rain warning is in place for Westland on Friday and Saturday, and the cold front will likely stall on Saturday delivering prolonged rain to the central South Island and scattered showers across Canterbury.
Metservice says it could provide much-needed relief to farmers grappling with drought after the hot, dry summer.
The front will make its way north on Saturday and reach Wellington by evening, and will weaken on Sunday making way for more settled weather for much of the country next week.
The real drama lies across the Tasman, with a tropical cyclone brewing over Queensland. Weather Watch says it's unlikely the storm will make its way over to us, but they'll be closely monitoring its progress.
Newshub.
