A nasty weather system affecting New Zealand is indirectly affecting the Cook Islands.

And more of it is expected throughout this week.

Cook Islands Meteorological Services weather man Arona Ngari said New Zealand and Cook Islands weather is indirectly affected by the same system.

“While rain is generated in New Zealand, the high pressure (blocking high) is reluctant to move eastwards, thus generating all that wind onto the Southern Cooks.”

Ngari said the trough line to the north of the Southern Group is not moving that fast past the group, thus generating more moisture to fall as rain.

This pattern is forecast to continue until tomorrow and relax a bit, although passing showers will be on the menu for more days to come.

Rainfall measured on Monday was 4.4 millimetres and 17.9 millimetres for yesterday.

Ngari said there could be another 15 millimetres over the next few days.

The weather office has forecast a high pressure system to the far south of Southern Cook Islands which will generate and direct damaging heavy swells and easterly winds over the group.
A weak trough of low pressure is affecting the northern Cook Islands.