Today’s forecast
Wet and muggy weather looming for the North Island after another scorcher today
Most of the country is due for another scorcher today, especially in the South Island — but there’s wet, muggy weather lying in wait. Temperatures soared around the country yesterday with central Otago taking the title of the hottest place, reaching 32.5C at 3pm.
Invercargill Airport measured 32.3C, which MetService said was likely to be a new record.
“One of the interesting things is the warmest temperatures are at the bottom of the country in Southland and Otago,” MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said. “It isn’t unusual in these northeast flows but it is counter-intuitive to what most people think.”
Further north, Lower Hutt also hit 30.7C and Palmerston North reached 30C, Hamilton 27.8C and Auckland a relatively cool 27.5C.
It was slightly cooler in Tauranga and Whangarei which only reached around 25C thanks to the sea breeze.
WeatherWatch analyst Phil Duncan predicted that today could be even hotter for the south.
The North Island faces a different type of heat as humidity brings “thicker air”, making lower temperatures feel hotter, Duncan
Some cloud and showers. Northeasterlies. High 25C, overnight 20C.
Cloudy, spot showers. Northeasterlies. High 26C, overnight 19C. Cloudy, afternoon showers. Northeasterlies. High 25C, overnight 17C. Cloudy, showers turning to drizzle evening. Northeasterlies. High 23C, overnight 19C. Cloudy, chance showers. Northerlies. High 24C, overnight 17C. Mainly fine, showers from afternoon. Northerlies. High 26C, overnight 18C. said. “Humidity levels aren’t extreme but it’s making temperatures in the mid to late 20s feel more like 30.”
The weather is expected to remain fine and warm today in the south, although the North Island will see some cloud and possibly a few showers.
But rain and strong winds are on their way from tomorrow night or early Wednesday as a deep lowpressure system comes from the west.
Rainfall is likely to reach warning levels tomorrow and Wednesday for Westland, Buller, Nelson and western Marlborough, while severe gales could hit Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne on Wednesday.
Severe weather warnings are likely to be issued in the coming days as the system evolves.
The rain will bring little relief from the muggy weather — Glassey said it’s likely to get more humid as the low approaches.
But cooler air will follow behind the low, according to WeatherWatch.