Gusty weekend set for Hawke's Bay

OUT & ABOUT: Joyce-Anne Raihania, enjoys the mild weather today at Golflands, Mangateretere. PHOTO DUNCAN BROWN

Hawke's Bay residents are advised to hold onto their hats, with a gusty weekend on the horizon.

Temperatures are set to take a slight dip until the early part of next week - a far cry from the record-breaking temperatures felt on Wednesday.

MetService Meteorologist Karl Loots said a deep low pressure system over the Tasman Sea would make its way over the south of New Zealand in the early hours of tomorrow.

A very strong and disturbed westerly flow will persist over the country through to the middle of next week.

"It will be mainly fine today with high cloud and northwesterlies strengthening towards the evening.

There will be a maximum of 25 degrees in Napier and 24 degrees in Hastings."

Mr Loots said Sunday would see cloud increasing, with a few spots of rain developing in the afternoon and gusty northwesterlies.

"There is moderate confidence that west to northwest gales could approach severe gale strength in eastern areas from Hastings to Stewart Island, and this threat remains about the country, including Hawke's Bay south of Hastings on Sunday," Mr Loots said.

Despite the less than pleasant weekend, a brighter outlook is in store for the early part of next week.

"A weak ridge spreads onto the country on Monday, with all severe weather expected to ease," Mr Loots said.

Federated Farmers Hawkes Bay Provincial President Will Foley said they were hoping for "normal" Hawke's Bay summer.

"A nice condition would be a hot and dry summer, which Hawke's Bay is known for and what we farm to."

Mr Foley said they were "dreading" soil moisture drying out more than need be.

"Last week was a combination of warm temperatures and wind and a lack of rain fall. Soil could dry out quite quickly."

Niwa Meteorologist Ben Noll said dry soil was on their radar.

"We are watching a dry pocket of soil in southern Hawke's Bay that may expand northward."