A tale of two forecasts: North Island drought-stricken while South Island braces for cyclone

The cyclone will increase the chance of showers in other parts of the country next week. Photo credit: NIWA; AAP

In a tale of two forecasts, the North Island remains drought-stricken while the South Island braces for Cyclone Uesi.

No rain is forecast for tomorrow in Auckland, meaning the city will likely break records for the longest dry spell ever recorded at 40 days.

A dry spell is classified as consecutive days with less than one millimetre of rain according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

Soil in the North Island is so dry that it will take a month's worth of rain for it to be replenished.

Rain is not forecast in the North Island until next week.

NIWA predicts that in the coming decades drought will become even more severe in New Zealand's north.

Meanwhile, in the South Island, residents are bracing for impact with Cyclone Uesi forecast to make its way down south next week. 

Unfortunately, the tropical cyclone which will bring heavy rainfall is predicted to stay clear of the North Island where rain is desperately needed.

However, NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll said the moist air-mass produced by the cyclone would increase the chance of showers in other parts of the country next week. 

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