Cold weather and gales to start spring in Hawke's Bay

Tuna Nui Station, at Sherenden, in calm conditions before gales arrive later in the week. Photo / Paul Taylor

Spring comes in like a lion this week, with Hawke's Bay set to experience cold temperatures, rain and possible severe gales.

While most of Hawke's Bay enjoyed a balmy 20-degree day on the first day of spring at the weekend, MetService meteorologist Andy Best said the region could expect a change to the weather for the main part of the week.

"We're focusing currently, on a major low pressure system and trough, which is going to impact on much of the North Island throughout the week. It's going to bring a very cold outbreak to many places.

"Basically, from Monday evening, there will be a cold southerly change, which will bring cloud and showers initially to Hawke's Bay. It will be mainly fine in the morning with north-westerlies but people will certainly notice the change during the evening as the southerly spread over all of Hawke's Bay."

Showers will turn to heavy rain tomorrow,with possible heavy falls.

'These southerlies then become strong and possible gale strength around the coast later on Tuesday afternoon.

"Looking a head to Wednesday - once again rain, possibly heavy. That won't ease until later in the day. Once again you are going to have those strong southerlies, reaching gale around the coast and exposed places."

Thursday is expected to be cloudy with occasional rain and strong southerlies.

Best said while temperatures were warm on Saturday and Sunday, as well as thisafternoon, once the southerly change came the region could expect an over night low of just four degrees tonight."Looking a head to Tuesday, the temperature goes right down to 12 degrees for a daytime maximum. Those winds will keep the overnight minimum up a bit to 7 degrees and then on Wednesday and Thursday temperatures will reach about 13 degrees."

Best said people were advised to keep up to date on weather conditions at the MetService website for possible weather warnings.

"We have an area of heavy rain and severe gales, with a low confidence along the East Coast but there may be watches or warnings issued later on in the week.

"We're in spring and spring is a very changeable, the sea temperatures are still quite cold but we get a warming of the land as the days get longer, and so the contrast between the land and the sea can lead to quite changeable and blustery winds."