Fine weather arrives just in time

Final touches: Preparing the Hastings Racecourse track for a warm sunny spring day at the Livamol Classic raceday. Photo/Duncan Brown.

After a week of persistent rain some fine Hawke's Bay weather has come just at the right time with the Livamol Classic raceday kicking off this morning.

MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said the sun should shine and the consistent grey cloud which has blanketed the region should disappear today for most people.

"The only chance of isolated showers was about the ranges. The further south you go the more likely you would be greeted with these."

There is a moderate northeasterly about but Ms Flynn said it would not be a strong wind or anything to worry about.

Hawke's Bay Racing president Andrew Castles had been crossing his fingers over the past few days hoping the weather would clear in time for the biggest of the three Bostock New Zealand spring racing carnival days.

Luckily for Mr Castles and the eager racegoers it should be a perfect day with a high of 19C and little wind.

"It is fantastic that Saturday is meant to be fine as we have had a pretty ordinary week so it will be ideal for us and everyone involved."

He said with a fine day on the cards they should see up to 7000 people flood through the Hastings Racecourse gates.

Due to the persistent rain last week the track is rated as slow but Mr Castles said they dodged a fair amount of the wet weather so it should not be an inconvenience to too many.

The period of sunny weather does not last long though as another front moves across the country from the west on Sunday.

"The front will bring scattered rain in the morning but these should clear by the evening. A northerly will be freshening in the morning as well but as the front moves on the northerlies will die out."

Monday is forecast to begin fine but as the day heats up to a high of 20C rain will fall inland in the afternoon and evening.

"You could still see some periods of fine spells but you could also get a few showers."

Tuesday will see the start of another front, which means high cloud will increase throughout the day and scattered rain will fall in the late afternoon.

Ms Flynn said the temperatures would stay in the high teens with Tuesday's high sitting on 19C.

Wednesday will be similar to Tuesday with scattered rain throughout the day and a high of 19C.