The golden late summer-like days of blue skies and warm winds which Hawke's Bay has enjoyed over the past week are about to become distinctly more autumnal, as a big southerly system begins to build.
"We have had warmer than average windflows," Weatherwatch forecaster Phillip Duncan said.
"But this low is set to be with us for five or six days."
One bonus was that previously drought-like rural patches along the eastern seaboard would get welcome rain, he said.
Temperatures across the Bay hit a spring-like 22C yesterday, and fair skies and 20C temperatures were forecast to stay until late on Wednesday.