Hottest day so far sees people head to water

The hottest day so far this year was yesterday recorded at 29C. Yolanda Mari, 45, and daughter Uma Davies-Mari, 4, from Spain enjoyed the New Zealand sun. Photo / George Novak

Temperatures soared to 29C in the Bay yesterday - the hottest day so far this summer.

A MetService spokesperson said the high was recorded at Tauranga Airport yesterday, the warmest temperature for the city this year so far.

However, there were possible thunderstorms forecast for later this afternoon, with the temperature expected to drop to 27C today and an estimated 26C tomorrow.

Beachgoer Nicole Ellis and her friend Sarah Forres headed to the beach yesterday to enjoy the sun.

"It feels like summer has only just started, but it has been the nicest weather down here today," Ms Ellis said.

The Papamoa resident, who had grown up in the Bay, said the Bay had turned on the good weather this summer.

"It was a slow start, but it's been the best summer we have seen in ages," she said.

Yolanda Mari from Ibiza, Spain, said she had been visiting the Bay for three weeks this summer and had loved her time here so far.

"The summer is beautiful, the sun is nice and hot and the water is fresh and clean."

Ms Mari said, compared to her homeland Spain, the beaches were far less crowded.

The weather was also more bearable in the summer months.

"We go from 36C to 39C with 90 per cent humidity, which means it is very hot."