Growers set to dodge frosts as cold blast hits Hawke's Bay

It will be a mixed bag, with both sunny and showery days in store for Hawke's Bay. Photo / Ian Cooper

Hawke's Bay growers are set to dodge the worst of a cooler blast heading New Zealand's way that could drop temperatures below freezing overnight in some places.

MetService meteorologist Andrew James said there was a mixed bag weather coming for the region this week, dictated by a front which was sitting over the Tasman Sea on the weekend.

"That moves up over the country during the early part of the week."

Potential gale-force winds and heavy rain would be intermingled with fine and calm weather, a typically spring-like week.

On Monday, Hawke's Bay can expect a relatively fine day with a bit of high cloud, and temperatures around 20C.

It will stay warm on Tuesday, with highs of around 19-20C, but rain is also predicted, which could be heavy inland near the ranges.

"It will ease off over night, and then Wednesday becomes fine again," James said.

"Then there is another southwest change which comes through on Thursday, which will bring a few showers.

"And then mainly fine again in Friday, so not too bad a week."

Temperatures will drop from Tuesday, the high on Wednesday is expected to be 18C and cooler again on Thursday with 14C.

Friday will be slightly warmer again, with a high of 17C predicted.

James said other parts of the country would be experiencing frosty overnight temperatures, including negatives overnight in the South Island.

However he said this would not affect Hawke's Bay to the same extent.

"Not quite as cold, being moderated by the sea, there on the coast."

He said it could be a bit windy ahead of the front landing on Tuesday, and there was a low probability these would reach gale force.