Hot and sticky despite rain

Expect more muggy nights to come, as the humid weather is set to stay - but with rain.

Aucklanders will be in for a sticky week, with temperatures in the mid- to late-20s, and rain also expected in most parts of the city.

WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan said it would be warm and muggy again today and tomorrow.

"Overnight lows will be on the rise, with temperatures about Auckland and Northland hovering around the late teens or 20C later in the week. Coupled with muggy conditions, it could make for difficult sleeping."

On the weekend - particularly on Saturday - high humidity and still air meant many Aucklanders slept with their windows open.

"It wasn't too extreme," Mr Duncan said. "But it felt warmer because [the air] was so still and at 60 per cent of humidity, it felt like 32C."

The Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland were already getting a few downpours last night and that was expected to continue throughout parts of the city today, Mr Duncan said.

Tuesday would bring light winds into the mix, which could also lift temperatures up to around 27C or even up to around the low 30s.

"It will definitely feel like that, anyway," Mr Duncan said.

A Tasman Sea low is set to come through from the west of the country from Wednesday onwards, and bring with it much-needed rain for northern parts of the country, where there had not been much summer rainfall.

The humid weather would also be evident in areas immediately outside of Auckland, including the Waikato and Taupo.

Down in Wellington, with lows of around 8C over the weekend, many would not have known it was summer.

Particularly heavy rain is expected in the capital this week.

The Bay of Plenty can also expect rain from Thursday and throughout the day on Friday, with a possible thunderstorm also on the cards later in the week.

Further south, in Christchurch, some people have had to light fires because the temperature has been so cold.

However, Mr Duncan said people should look forward to the weeks ahead - from mid-February to early March - when the temperature would be hotter across the whole country.

"We're still heading towards the hottest time of the year.

"We'll see the hottest week in early to mid-February," Mr Duncan said.

"Summer's only just starting."