Cooler Wairarapa days on horizon

Cars shimmer in 30C-plus heat along SH2 between Greytown and Featherston in South Wairarapa. PHOTO/FILE

Temperatures reached 34C in parts of Masterton yesterday, while Saturday saw 30C-plus temperatures across most of Wairarapa.

However, be prepared for a "considerable" drop later in the week.

Traditional swimming spots were surprisingly quiet on Saturday, possibly because many took advantage of free admission to Genesis Recreation Centre's pools in Masterton.

Cyclists travelling to Greytown from Wellington on Saturday for the Pashley Bicycle Picnic experienced a big rise in temperature after stepping off the train at Woodside, with Wellington a mere 25C that day.

Riders Silvana Tizzoni, Laura Christie, Rob Appleton and Kelly Williams from Wellington said they loved the ride from Woodside station along the former rail line to Greytown, but were glad of the shade offered at Stella Bull Park.

MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said today's temperature of 31C would be topped tomorrow with a high of 32C, but then temperatures were going to "drop down considerably".

"Both days are looking pretty fine, with the exception of some high cloud and light winds," Mr Doolin said.

But scattered rain was forecast to develop on Wednesday morning.

The south-easterly winds would pick up over the day, turning to strong gales, and there was an expected high of 23C.

He said the region could expect rain on Thursday and Friday, with a high of just 18C for both days.

Friday would see light southwesterlies winds.

Mr Doolin said a tropical low would be behind the rain and strong winds of Wednesday and Thursday.

Next weekend temperatures were not expected to exceed 19C, with rain and light winds over Wairarapa both Saturday and Sunday.

Mr Doolin said it was too far out to predict the forecast for Waitangi Day.