Heatwave to stay at least week more

The beautiful weather will continue in the North

Slip, slop, slap and wrap - this glorious weather is here to stay for at least another week.

Northlanders can anticipate more of what the region's had for the start of 2015 - sunny, dry days with temperatures in the mid 20s, MetService says.

"Since the first [of January], when there's been a bit of rainfall, it's been quite warm summery weather, and temperatures look set to stay in the mid 20s right until next week," MetService meteorologist Peter Little told the Northern Advocate. So far this year, temperatures have peaked at Whangarei Airport at between 24C and 27C, while highs at Kaitaia Hospital were between 24C and 26C and between 20C and 24C at Cape Reinga.

The temperature readings taken close to coastal areas were likely to be cooler than actual temperatures inland, he said.

Mr Little anticipated much the same high temperatures right until after next weekend. "Temperatures across Northland will be in the mid 20s and potentially warmer the further inland."

Some Advocate readers have reported temperatures reaching into the 30s at their properties.

Last week was not the hottest this summer though - the week of December 17-22 has so far taken that crown, when the official high hit 28C.

Overnight lows for this year have been between 12C and 17C in Whangarei, and 13C and 18C in Kaitaia.

"I guess in the Winterless North, that's pretty cool.

"In somewhere like Wellington, it would be considered mild," Mr Little said.

The warm spell comes after a damp December, with some steady rain, thunder and lightning, wind gusts and some road surface flooding in the week before Christmas.

The week's unseasonable fare had come towards the end of a warmer, wetter year than normal, characterised by back-to-back extremes. Conditions swung from extremely dry at the start of the year to record wet during winter and into spring.