Rain on way to quell summer heat

Water sprinklers at Tareha Park, Napier, may not be needed later this week as rain is forecast for the region. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay was home to the hottest city in the country at the weekend but a southerly change is set to bring rain and cooler temperatures.

The MetService ranked Hastings the hottest New Zealand city on Sunday, with a daytime high of 30.3C. Napier was in fourth place on the list at 28.8C.

MetService meteorologist John Law said the sweltering temperature was boosted by a westerly wind flow and plenty of sun.

Today was expected to be similarly fine with high cloud, northwesterlies developing and a daytime high of 25C.

"Your side of the hills will get some nice spells of sunshine and temperatures picking up too."

However, rain would arrive in the region tomorrow evening, as an area of low pressure from the Tasman Sea was expected to turn winds southerly, heralding showers.

"Sadly we've got this system pushing across from the west, with cloud thickening through the daytime and spells of rain coming later."

The "showery" weather would continue for the rest of the week, although rain would become "much more isolated" by the weekend.

Daytime highs would also drop to the 19C or 20C mark.

The incoming rain may offer some respite as winds, sunshine and a lack of rainfall have left the region drier than is normal for this time of year.

With summer off to a sunny start in the Bay, Niwa advised residents to use sun protection between the hours of 8.50am to 5.30pm, even if it was cloudy.