Weather: Warm nights ahead for most parts of NZ

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Warm overnight temperatures and a near full moon mean it may be a sleepless few nights for many Kiwis this week, weather analysts warn.

Weatherwatch.co.nz said although overnight lows will not be overly hot, they will be warm enough to be "uncomfortable for some".

A large high moving across the east of New Zealand, combined with a developing northeast wind flow meant air drifting across the country would be both warmer and more humid. Light winds also meant the nights would also be mostly calm.

Brighter nights were also expected with the moon heading towards being full, Weatherwatch.co.nz said.

It said the brightness of the moon - along with warmth, humidity and light winds - would make it difficult for a solid night's sleep.

Cooler nights would return to most of the country by this weekend and into next week, Weatherwatch.co.nz said.

However, warm weather, especially in the northern New Zealand, was likely to stick around well into April.

Dr Andrew Veale, clinical director at the New Zealand Respiratory and Sleep Institute, agreed that heat and humidity at night disturbed sleep quality.

"People toss and turn, have a fragmented sleep, and feel tired the next day."

He said excessive light from the moon could also cause disruption to sleep.

"As far as I am aware there is no intrinsic effect of the moon itself, but the culmination of humidity which allows you to wake at night, and then bright light as well, would have additional effect.

"You will wake up more often, and each time you wake it will take longer to get back to sleep because of the environmental light."

Tomorrow's weather forecast:

Whangarei: A few showers. Humid easterlies. High 25C Low 19C
Auckland: Cloudy periods, shower or two north of Bridge. Easterlies. High 24C Low 19C
Hamilton: Long fine spells. Light winds. High 25C Low 14C
Tauranga: Cloudy periods, chance of a shower. Light winds. High 24C Low 18C
Wellington: Cloudy periods. Northerlies abating. High 22C Low 16C
Christchurch: Morning drizzle, then fine spells. Northeasterly developing. High 20C Low 14C
Source: MetService