Lazy high moves on but warmth lingers

It's not the end of the golden weather.

Maybe just a bit of the blue sky weather for some of us.

The country has basked in late-summer like conditions the past few weeks, with sun-starved Kiwis soaking up the hot, sunny weather all the while nervously scanning the horizon for dark clouds.

The big heat yesterday saw temperatures in Christchurch reach 33C - with some WeatherWatch inland Canterbury weather stations recording readings as high as 38C.

In Auckland yesterday, temperatures topped 24C, Hamilton reached 25C, Napier 26C and Masterton sun lovers basked in warm 29C conditions.

More golden sunshine is forecast for the country today and tomorrow.

However, with the lazy high settled over the country last week now moved on, the weather early this week is expected to be a little less appealing.

Metservice meteorologist April Clark said the North Island would still be warm and humid, but also cloudier. The upper part of the island was most at risk of a shower.

"Monday's not terrible, but it's not as amazing as we've had."

Wellington has enjoy a string of its famously good days, with little wind and sunny skies, but the wind is picking up again, Clark said.

And parts of Auckland may cop a shower early this week, but there was also a possibility showers could miss the city completely.

A high of 24C is forecast for the city tomorrow. The East Coast of the island, from Gisborne to Wairarapa, could expect the highest temperatures. Napier, Gisborne and Masterton are forecast to reach 26C on Monday.

"The East Coast will still be lovely."

In the South Island, the West Coast was likely the only area likely to receive showers early this week.

The East Coast, where temperatures reached the 30s in parts this week, would remain dry and warm, Clark said.

Highs in the mid-20s will provide some relief for those worn out by the unseasonably hot conditions.

It was too early to forecast the weather for Christmas Day, Clark said.

But a warmer, drier month so far made a continuation of those conditions more likely, she said.