Rain but little respite from 30C heat

Rod Hale throws his glider at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, Hastings, yesterday. Photo / Warren Buckland

A few spots of rain may help cool the air as temperatures hit 30C in the Bay this week, say forecasters.

MetService meteorologist Marylin Avery said some brief rain would arrive this morning, while heavy showers were likely further inland.

However, Hawke's Bay was forecast to enjoy a warm week, with temperatures predicted to peak at 29C today in Napier and Hastings with little relief from the heat later in the evening, with an overnight low dropping to a tropical 21C in Napier.

Ms Avery said a northwesterly wind would arrive and bring a high of 30C to the region tomorrow, but would blow itself out by the day's end. The fine, warm weather would provide perfect conditions for the ODI cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park, starting at 2pm tomorrow.

However, players might have to contend with a dewy outfield in the late evening, as the overnight low drops rapidly to 14C, while the 8.28pm sunset might also cause some difficulty for batsmen trying to see the ball.

Temperatures would remain high again on Wednesday, with a top of 29C forecast by MetService.

Ms Avery said a southwesterly change would arrive on Friday and bring a significantly cooler high of 23C to the twin cities, under clear skies.