Coast awash as 6m swell hits (+video)

Huge swells pushed waves over the Rotary path in Napier yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

Swells of up to 6m battered the Napier coast yesterday.

Unusually large waves forced cyclists to slosh through the water while cars were lucky to escape with just a wash.

Napier bore the brunt about midday with waves pushed over the Rotary pathway.

A big low pressure weather system had been driving the heavy seas between East Cape and North Canterbury, with Wellington hit hardest.

MetService meteorologist John Law said the swells should subside today with a high pressure system due to take over.

Strong southerlies from the Antarctic were also contributing to the rough seas, Mr Law said.

Napier City Council spokesman Lance Titter said there had been no reports of damage.

The council would monitor the situation overnight, co-ordinating with Napier police, Mr Titter said.

Temperatures in Hastings are set to plummet to freezing again overnight, a chilling reminder winter is just around the corner.

The brisk mornings will continue until the weekend when the system bringing the southwest chill moves east.

Mr Law said the weekend should warm up, with temperatures likely to reach 17C.

"A northwesterly flow will gradually spread up the country ahead of a weather front." The front is expected to approach the South Island on Friday then move up the North Island on Saturday and Sunday.

"Hawke's Bay is not a bad place to be at the moment," said Mr Law.

Other than the odd shower around the Cape and Mahia, the Bay would remain dry until late this week: "There is a chance of some high cloud and scattered showers on Sunday."