Calm weather follows a month of cyclones

Big clouds and cyclists on the Rotary pathway in Napier. Photo/Paul Taylor.

With two cyclones recently sweeping through the region, and winter drawing closer, Hawke's Bay residents are being advised to enjoy a period of settled weather while it lasts.

While rain fell over much of the region yesterday afternoon, MetService meteorologist Brian Mercer said the rest of the week was expected to mostly fine and settled, with temperatures remaining relatively high for autumn.

This will be a welcome respite for Hawke's Bay residents, with downed trees and other debris still scattering roads and properties as a result of Cyclone Cook last week.

The rain brought by Cyclone Cook, and Cyclone Debbie before that, has caused April to be labelled an "exceptionally wet month" - by last week Napier had already doubled its average rainfall for the month.

Metservice does not operate a rainfall gauge in Hastings, but Mr Mercer said the city's total would have been similar to Napier's.

Rainfall data from the past month has shown massive rainfall totals throughout Hawke's Bay; with no area going unaffected by the past wet month.

Between 4pm on March 20 and 4pm on April 20 Wairoa received 298mm, Te Pohue 364.5mm, Napier 199.2mm, and Takapau 275.8mm.

With winter now on the way, Mr Mercer said his advice to residents was to "just enjoy a settled week".

Today some isolated coastal showers and areas of cloud were expected before clearing in the afternoon and becoming fine with light winds.

Tomorrow was expected to be a stellar day with light winds but mainly fine, Mr Mercer said, with a high of 20C.

A large low is expected to cross east over the North Island later in the week, followed by a front bringing rain.

Although Friday was expected to be fine, widespread scattered rain was forecast for Saturday.

There would also be northerlies, strong in exposed places, Mr Mercer said.

On Sunday a few showers were expected, but would clear. Northwesterlies were also forecast, with the week ending on a high of 21C.