MetService was yet to release a January outlook but said yesterday's hot weather came on the back of Tauranga's third equal warmest year on record.
The city's annual mean temperature in 2014 was 15.4C - 0.5C above average.
MetService meteorologist John Law said the average temperature was elevated by the warmest April, June and September since 1941.
Meanwhile, rainfall "yo-yoed" between extreme wet and dry spells, he said.
"The year started dry for Tauranga, with below average rainfall January through March," he said. "In contrast, April was exceptionally wet, with Cyclone Ita producing Tauranga's heaviest rainfall of the year."
May was the third driest May on record, while June was the fourth wettest, at double the normal June rainfall. July, October and November were "rather dry", while September and December were very wet.
The windiest day of the year was October 6, when severe southwest gales battered the region, he said.
The most significant weather events of the year were the gales and large seas Cyclone Luisi brought on March 15, the gales and heavy rain that accompanied Cyclone Ita on April 17 and the flooding, slips and wind damage which came as a result of a deepening low on July 10 and 11.
"Bay of Plenty also received its fair share of thunderstorms in 2014, including large hail on the beach at Papamoa and [Mount Maunganui] on November 6," Mr Law said.
Metservice meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said today was shaping up to be hot and wet, with a possibility of heavy showers towards the evening.
"We're looking at a few afternoon showers, with a possibility of those being heavy, and sea breezes in the afternoon."
Today's high was expected to be 27C, with a low of 16C.
Tomorrow and Friday would be fine with light winds and afternoon sea breezes and highs of 23C, Mr Doolin said.
