Autumn weather is just about here

BRRR: Cooler weather is on its way with wind and rain following soon. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

A series of weather systems described by Weatherwatch forecaster Phillip Duncan as "typical for this time of year" are set to create seesawing temperatures and winds for Hawke's Bay over the next week.

Yesterday's darkening skies and scattered showers were a foretaste of what is heading the Bay's way for the weekend as an active front is set to move across the country from the west.

"It will be several days of typical autumnal weather," Mr Duncan said.

Although the region had missed the worst of the westerly and northwesterly-driven winds and rain from a ridge which crossed the country this week, water and wind are on the horizon.

While today and Thursday are set to be relatively mild the approaching front will begin lowering temperatures on Friday.

"It's going to be pretty cold for just about everybody," Mr Duncan said.

While the showers will begin to clear on Sunday the southwesterlies will stay in the picture with temperatures in the mid-teens.

By the start of next week the skies will begin to clear although temperatures are expected to remain around 16C for Napier and Hastings.

The region was unlikely to get too much in the way of strong winds forecast for regions mainly in the west.

Strong winds did buffet parts of the Bay on Monday night with the strongest gust registered at Hawke's Bay Airport hitting 33km/h.

In Kelburn gusts had reached 89km/h.