Warm weather for the Bay this week, not Waitangi

Lisa, Jared and Isla, 3, Williams at their beach front spot. Photo/George Novak

After a mixed bag of weather this weekend, the skies are set to clear for this week - but they are not expected to hold for Waitangi Weekend.

Holiday makers were still out and about enjoying Bay beaches and water holes throughout the weekend even though rain splattered the city yesterday morning.

Hundreds of people were seen lapping up the sun at the beach throughout the weekend while others took advantage of McLaren Falls' cooler water.

Hamilton holiday makers Jared and Lisa Williams did not let the wet weather ruin their annual camping trip with their two little girls, Isla, 3, and Olivia,1.

The family have been coming to stay at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park for the last three years because of the prime location right on the beach front.

"We always come at this time to take advantage of the the long weekends," Mr Williams said. "It's away from the Christmas rush and the weather is normally always a bit better."

Although the weather had been a "mixed bag" this weekend he and his family had still had a good time, he said.

"It was pretty hot on the Saturday and Sunday but Monday was wet, wild and windy. It hasn't been as nice as it normally is but we have still had fun. We have gone up to the hot pools, the girls have watched Frozen on DVD a few times and we have been on a few walks when the weather cleared.

"We love our beach-front spot," he said.

McLaren Falls was a popular spot during the long weekend. Photo/George Novak

Metservice meteorologist Emma Blade said there had been a high of 29C on Saturday and 22C on Sunday. The low for both nights was just 19C. Yesterday there was a high of 23C.

Today Tauranga would have a high of 26C with warm mid-20s forecast for the rest of the week.

"It will be dry the next couple of days with light winds."

On Friday there was the chance of heavy rain fall to start the next long weekend which would bring the humidity up again, she said. "It will be quite sticky and hot."

Rain was also forecast for the Saturday and Sunday of Waitangi Weekend with a high of 26C.