Summer comes early with sunshine for all
Kiwis have another week of warm, settled weather ahead as the start of summer draws near.
Yesterday, temperatures hit the late 20-mark as a high pressure system brought clear skies and sunny spells to most of the country.
Taumarunui had one of the highest temperatures yesterday afternoon, with 28.3 degrees Celsius recorded.
Today is also expected to be a cracker of a day, with 27C forecast for Masterton. Wellington is forecast to have a fine day with high of 19C today.
But tomorrow some rain would arrive for those in the west, MetService meteorologist Claire Nickson said. A low and a front that are forming over the Tasman Sea are expected to sweep over the West Coast of the South Island.
The front would mostly affect the South Island’s western areas and the far south, before moving over the North Island on
Thursday. However, the front was expected to weaken and only bring light showers to parts of the North Island, Nickson said.
Settled, sunny days would then return for the remainder of the week as another high pressure system moves up the country. However, some central and eastern areas are in for a warm week all round. Hastings could reach a high of 30C tomorrow, with highs between 25C and 27C throughout the rest of the week.
Masterton’s high temperatures for the week range between 27C and 23C.
New Zealand has seen some warmer than average temperatures recently, largely due to the hot air that has been coming from Australia and moving across the Tasman Sea.
Last week, Canterbury experienced thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail due to a combination of hot weather and strong, changing winds. There was a low risk of thunderstorms about the ranges of Hawke’s Bay tonight.