Better weather ahead for Bay of Plenty

WeatherWatch forecasts good weather in the Bay for the rest of January. Photo/file

Holidaymakers in the Bay of Plenty can expect dry, settled weather in the next few weeks, a forecaster has said.

WeatherWatch forecaster Philip Duncan said the Bay would largely experience good weather for the rest of January.

Locals and visitors to the region should be able to comfortably get out and about.

Philip Duncan

"There's a lot of high pressure coming in," he said. "There's not much rain at all - it's pretty dry.

"There could be a few north easterly showers in maybe a week's time.

"Other than that, locals and visitors to the region should be able to comfortably get out and about."

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) also predicted dry, settled weather in the Bay in its latest outlook, with average summer temperatures and below average rainfall until February.

Last January, Niwa recorded a mean air temperature of 21.2C in Tauranga - the second highest mean January temperature for the city since records began in 1913.

Meanwhile, 328 sunshine hours were recorded in the city, which was also the second highest on record.

MetService is yet to release its January outlook but it is expecting some rain in the region next week, with temperatures reaching the low to mid twenties.

Many other parts of the country will experience more changeable weather, according to WeatherWatch.

"There's an unsettled weather pattern coming through," Mr Duncan said.

"[The unsettled weather pattern] is a good thing because it's going to bring some rain, which farmers need, especially in the South Island.

"Campers will, of course, also have to deal with the rain but it shouldn't go on long enough to deter many."

A band of high pressure during the middle of January would cause the weather to settle down and temperatures to ramp up later in the month, he said.

"It'll be good weather for holidaymakers.

"There's perhaps a few more showers in the forecast for holiday spots than last summer but there's definitely still plenty of dry weather coming in so it's a good mix."