Weather: Scorcher ahead for Hawke’s Bay

The Napier Sailing Club, which on Saturday hosts its Summer Regatta, with over 150 boats expected, as many as 75% from outside Hawke's Bay. Photo / NZ Herald

Hawke’s Bay is set for a scorcher.

Nationwide weather agency MetService was forecasting temperatures to hit 31C in Hastings and 30C in Napier on Thursday, and continue with peaks of over 28C during the weekend.

Major events this weekend include the Bay View Market Day on Saturday from 9am, with over 170 stalls at Petane Domain in the annual Eskdale School fundraiser.

The Napier Sailing Club’s annual Summer Regatta is on Saturday and Sunday, with 144 boats officially entered by midweek but more expected, with up to 75% of the fleet from outside Hawke’s Bay, mainly Auckland.

The Hawke’s Bay Sports Fishing Club stages its annual two-day open competition, which manager Neil Price says attracts up to 200 boats each year.

A club spokesperson said the forecast was looking “a little bit unsettled” with wind, but was also “looking promising”.

In Hastings, the annual Battle in the Bay hip-hop dance championships will be held at Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre throughout Friday and Saturday.

Temperatures hit 31.8C in Hastings on October 23, around the time of the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show.

With continuing dry weather, significant water restrictions have been in place for more than a fortnight, limiting such things as garden hosing, in Napier and Hastings and across the Heretaunga Plains.

Highlighting the situation is that November rainfall in Hastings to Tuesday night was just 13.2mm, compared with the month average of 61mm.