Last week of winter a mixed bag for Hawke's Bay

Rain is expected this evening and tomorrow before a high of 20 degrees on Friday.

With winter drawing to a close, a mixed bag of weather is in store for Hawke's Bay.

The final week of winter will continue to stir up a concoction of fluctuating temperatures, strong winds, sunshine and rainfall.

MetService Communications meteorologist Lisa Murray said despite the temperamental weather, it was typical for this time of year.

"Today will be cloudy, with drizzle about the coast in the morning, turning to rain in the evening."

Temperatures will dip in Hastings today, with a high of only 12 degrees, increasing ever so slightly to 14 degrees tomorrow for both cities. Ms Murray said it would be a "relatively mild week".

Tomorrow would continue with "rain at times and a strengthening northeasterly".

On Friday, strong westerlies will be accompanied by clear skies and a high of 20 degrees in Hastings.

Federated Farmers' Hawke's Bay Provincial president Will Foley said the general consensus was that farmers were happy with the current weather conditions.

"Apart from the snowstorm and heavy rain event, the weather has been relatively kind."

However, Mr Foley said snow not yet melted had been causing grief for those farmers right at the top of northern Hawke's Bay.

"We always expect snow, but it is very unusual for the amount of snow we have had and the ongoing issues that it has caused."

Mr Foley said annual rainfall was well behind average and follow-up rain was needed to prevent pastures from drying out too quickly and to keep grass growing.

"Generally, Hawke's Bay-wide, it is looking good."