Balmy, but wet weather on the way

Nate Arnott (left), 4 and Max Arnott, 7, from Marton, walking along the boardwalk at Pekapeka Wetland. Forecasters say residents can expect warm and rainy weather this week. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hawke's Bay residents are in for a subtropical twist this week, with warm and rainy conditions on the way.

MetService meteorologist Stephen Glassey said a northerly flow was beginning to develop over the country.

A freezing -1C low is expected overnight, but as of tomorrow temperatures will rise steadily - with a 15C high and fine conditions.

"Temperatures should be reasonably warmer than what they have been," Mr Glassey said. "[Tomorrow] is looking like a pretty fine day for Hawke's Bay."

However, the warm spell would be accompanied by a dash of rain. On Wednesday a rain-producing front from the Tasman Sea would move slowly eastwards over the country, preceded by a strong moist northeasterly flow, which would mean rain for the region through to Thursday.

"It's going to bring some rain but there won't be snow down to low levels like we had last week. Rain develops on Wednesday - it doesn't look particularly heavy, but it's a decent period of rain.

"The front should clear Hawke's Bay on Thursday, and then it looks like it should be mostly fine on Friday."

Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay president Will Foley said both the warmer temperatures and rain would come as a relief for farmers.

"There's a bit of early lambing due to get under way, so they'll definitely welcome the warmer temperatures," he said.

"There's also a lot of areas that need a bit of moisture before we head into spring. North of Hastings and Napier has gotten quite dry."

He hoped there would be no further snowfall in low-lying areas. Parts of Hawke's Bay were blanketed with snow during an Antarctic southerly last week.

Lambs which were at least one week old could survive in such conditions, but animals born during snowfall may not survive, Mr Foley said.

"Fingers crossed they don't get another dumping."

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said there was a chance of frost this morning and tomorrow morning.

He said Thursday could see a daytime high up to 17C - substantially higher than today's maximum temperature of 12C.

A recent Weatherwatch survey revealed that 40 per cent of people "love" rainy weather, and 42 per cent do not - while 18 per cent don't care.

Clear skies tomorrow evening may allow residents to see Venus, the brightest planet and third-brightest sky object overall (after the sun and moon), which sets about three hours after sunset.

By mid-August, it will be gone from our evening sky, passing between us and the sun on August 15.