Blue skies, balmy days and big rain on the way

FOUR SEASONS: Nanette Spence and her grandson Quinn Loukil, Napier, enjoy a walk along the Ahuriri Estuary in yesterday's cool spring weather. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

Hawke's Bay is in for a mixed bag of weather this week - with rain, gales, and 25C highs.

New Zealand was expected to receive some balmy days, after a heatwave which brought scorching temperatures to Australia heads to the country.

It is expected to drift over the Tasman Sea to the South Island on Sunday, then the North Island on Monday.

These increasing temperatures will be teased this weekend, MetService meteorologist Josh Griffin said.

Blue skies could be on the cards today, with occasional rain clearing during the morning before "fining up" in the afternoon. Southwesterly winds are expected to die out, cooling down the day's expected high of 17C.

Tomorrow the temperature will begin picking up, with a high of 21C. It is expected to be fine weather with light winds and afternoon sea breezes.

The real heat hits on Monday, with an unusual September high of 25C in Hastings. Central Hawke's Bay was expected to reach 23C, while a high of 20C was forecast for Wairoa.

During Monday there would be high cloud increasing, with late scattered rain. Northwesterlies were also expected to rise to gale in exposed places.

Temperatures would begin to dip on Tuesday to 21C, with rain about the ranges, and scattered falls further east, all clearing late. Gale northwesterlies would easing later.

Wednesday would bring occasional showers, with southeasterlies developing, and a high of 19C.

Although the weather would be a bit warmer than usual for this time of year, Mr Griffin said it was not completely out of the ordinary.

"It's pretty settled weather. It's relatively quiet for the next couple of days."

More rain is on the cards for the rest of next week, with no forecast sightings of sun until next Sunday.

Luckily there are plenty of indoor events lined up for the next week - whether looking to escape from the heat, or stay dry from the persistent rain.

Over the weekend the New Zealand International Film Festival continues with showings at the MTG Century Theatre.

If being outside is the better option, the Colliers Rural Spring Ride will be held tomorrow at Russell Park, River Terrace, Waipukurau.