Hot days on the way

Long Bay, Auckland. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A hot few days are on the way for New Zealand, especially for those in the east of the country and the Far North.

Thanks to a nor'wester and mainly clear skies eastern areas from Christchurch to Gisborne, along with areas from about Whangarei to the Far North, will enjoy temperatures between 27 and 30 either Friday or Saturday - or both.

The hottest place is likely to be Hastings or Gisborne, where the nor'wester really kicks in and bumps temperatures up. For northern New Zealand higher humidity will play a part - most likely creating a humidex temperature around the low to mid 30s on Saturday. Some will love that - others will hate it. At least it's on a Saturday and many of us can hopefully get out and enjoy the beach or some shade.

The current Sea Surface Temperature map - which can be found here (http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/content/map-current-sea-temperature-around-nz-and-australia) - shows that the sea around the northern part of the country is starting to really warm up, around 17 or 18 degrees. Certainly not tropical, but not freezing either.

Not quite the same story towards Christchurch. While air temperatures may be pushing closer to 30 on Saturday the sea will be much, much, cooler - probably around 13 or 14 degrees.

For other parts of the nation the air temperature should be very comfortable, in the lower 20s for many - from Invercargill to Waikato. Auckland will have higher humidity so while the air temperature won't be as dramatic as say Gisborne's, the humidex reading will mean it will feel just as hot.

A slightly cooler change will be creeping in on Sunday for many western areas, with a cold change on the way for eastern places around Tuesday next week.