Steamy temps from the Pacific

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Yesterday's afternoon warmth pushed towards record territory, thanks to a stream of sub-tropical air funnelled down from the north.

High humidity levels made life uncomfortable.

At the airport, MetService recorded a high of 27.2 degrees around 1pm — and it was still 19.6 at 11pm.

At the same time humidity levels hit 70 percent in mid-afternoon, and a claggy smothering drizzle set in during the night, making sleeping difficult.

Warm air from the Pacific islands not infrequently pumps the temperature here. The record for April was set in 2017 when the mercury hit 28.5 degrees.

Before that the record stood at 28.2 set in 2003. The previous April record of 27.9 degrees was set in 1942 and stood for 61 years.

MetService's outlook was for a warm afternoon today, and the showers clearing away tomorrow. — RH