Warm start to week in Hawke's Bay but chill will be back

Hawke's Bay is off to a warm start, but the chilly temperatures will return as the second month of winter settles in.

MetService meteorologist Andy Best said June was a relatively mild month for the region, but he expects July to be a lot colder.

"There is an improving weather trend for the first half of this week as the front departs to the east of the country late Sunday followed by a southerly outbreak on Monday as a ridge of high pressure over the Tasman Sea begins to build over the South Island," he said.

"Hawke's Bay is getting some cloudy periods today , northerlies strengthening, then they turn more northwesterly tomorrow. A few showers will come from the south during the course of the evening.

"Tomorrow Napier and Hastings will be sitting at about 17 degrees then it's going to be 5 degrees overnight.

The warmer temperatures are only temporary, as the region is set to cool right down as the week progresses.

"Southerlies will begin to ease in the course of Tuesday, and they will bring partly cloudy conditions, isolated showers around the coastal regions from late morning. [It will be] 12 degrees on Tuesday with an overnight low of 4.

"Wednesday will be partly cloudy and the southerlies are maintained. There's a high of 12 degrees and an overnight low of 3.

"Thursday is looking fine, a few showers around the Wairoa district, the southerlies will die out, but Hawke's Bay will still have all that cold air pulled over the region. So for Thursday night and Friday morning, temperatures will be sitting around 2 degrees, so there will be a few frosts."

Frosts were becoming a rarity in Hawke's Bay and Best said it was good to make the most of them.

"The frosts will be good for the vineyards, it will crisp up the grapes for the dessert wines.

"It's going to be warmer (14 degrees) on Friday, mainly fine weather with warm northwesterlies, an overnight low of 2.

"Later in the weekend, we can see a bit of a change and temperatures will get a little warmer."