Settled weather great for relaxing and grape growers

Hester Jackson-Scott reading a book in her lunch break in the Napier Botanical Gardens enjoying a warm Hawke's Bay day. Photo/Duncan Brown

Even though summer has drawn to a close another period of hot and dry weather is expected to linger to the weekend.

MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said a ridge of high pressure was currently over the country bringing mainly fine weather right through to Sunday.

She said there would be some cloud about this morning but as the day went on some fine sunny spells should break out.

"The only risk of showers was about the ranges and the coast. There could also be a chance of thunder in these areas."

Tomorrow is forecast to reach a high of 26C in Hastings and Napier and on Saturday a high of 27C was expected for Hastings and 28C for Napier.

Ms Flynn said the north-westerly winds would pick up on Friday as a front moves over the South Island but she expected these to die out by Saturday night.

"Friday through to Sunday should be hot as the front that arrives down south doesn't make it to Hawke's Bay, it only gives you those north-westerly winds."

Hawke's Bay Winegrowers vice chairman Xan Harding was thrilled to hear that some dry settled weather was back in the Bay.

He was one of few who didn't want the rain and said the period of rain last week came just early enough so it didn't cause to much trouble or damage to the grapes.

"We much prefer this hot and dry weather so if it could stay like this until May without any rain we would be happy."

He said if a large amount did fall close to harvest it would make everything much more challenging for the growers.

Mr Harding said if this settled weather continued they would be in for an excellent vintage.

"The vines are drying out to how they were sitting before which is great for us. If any rain does come we would like it to be moderate rain that moves quickly."

A few of the wineries have started harvesting already with the low alcohol segment wines but most are still two or three weeks away from the main harvest.

"Wineries will soon start with chardonnay and pinot noir so this good settled weather will be fantastic."