Hawke's Bay 'place to be' for start of 2018, says MetService

Hastings' Abbey Cellars is one of the entertainment hot spots around Hawke's Bay over the next few days. Photo / Duncan Brown

The first week of 2018 is set to be a scorcher in Hawke's Bay, with temperatures sitting at 26c at the high end, and not dipping below 15C.

Although rain threatens to dampen things, it is expected to hold out until later in the week.

Yesterday MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said Hawke's Bay had looked like the place to be for New Year's Eve - a blessing for the thousands who turned out to ring in the new year at the New Year's Eve Community Celebration at Napier Sound Shell.

To start the year off right, today is expected to be mainly fine, apart from some isolated showers about the ranges. Although some of these could become heavy with possible thunderstorms, Mr Adams said this would not affect those in the urban, coastal areas, who will experience highs of 24C.

The second day of 2018 will continue this trend - a high of 25C, and mainly fine with showers about the ranges from late morning to evening, some possibly heavy.

Mid-week a low pressure system will start to move from the country's northwest, meaning the first "real chance" of showers could be expected on Wednesday. High cloud is also set to increase, and the day could bring the highest temperature of 2018 so far of 26C.

Over Thursday and Friday the region could see some "very significant rain". This low pressure means any rain could fall in sudden bursts, and be accompanied by strong wind.

Showers in the ranges are expected to continue on Thursday when northeasterlies pick up, to cool down the day's high of 25C.

Rain will win out on Friday, with falls expected inland, and easterly winds. A high of 25C is expected.

"Hawke's Bay is looking pretty good for the next few days, with most of the weather affecting the country in the west," said Mr Adams.

"Things should begin improving as we go into the second week of 2018."

There will be plenty of outdoor events to make the most of the good weather while it lasts, from the New Years day Interislander Summer Festival Hawke's Bay Races at Hastings Racecourse, to Summer Sessions at Abbey Cellars.

There are also indoor activities to entertain the younger ones when the weather turns sour - like the Miniature World open workshop at Creative Arts Napier.

The week will be rounded out with the first events of the third annual Summer Cycling Carnival.