The UK and US have launched counter-offensive strikes against the Houthi rebels, Papua New Guinea declares a state of emergency and the heat arrives for summer.
Another hot and humid day is in store tomorrow for most Kiwis, though parts of the South Island can expect a dip in temperature after experiencing highs around 30C today.
MetService has put out heat alerts for multiple areas around New Zealand as temperatures soar, with the agency advising residentsto stay hydrated, seek shade and check on vulnerable people, pets and livestock.
Another hot day up in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, and the warmth continues overnight - unfortunately no end in sight to the humidity 🥵
Dame Jacinda Ardern after her wedding rehearsal on Friday. Photo / George Heard
MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor said it would be fine all day in Hawke’s Bay, with warm temperatures forecast, including a possible high of 29C in Hastings.
“It’s a great day to be getting married, no matter who you are,” she laughed.
“Make sure you’re wearing a lot of sunblock. You get to the end of the day when you’ve been at a wedding and people are just pink.”
Elsewhere in the country, those who are not celebrating weddings can still get in on the sunshine, with many parts of the North Island experiencing fine days and pleasant temperatures. There are multiple parts of the country under a heat alert, with MetService warning the forecast temperatures were “very hot” and advising people keep hydrated, seek shade and check on vulnerable people, pets and livestock.
People out and about at Mission Bay as another hot day is install for Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell
O’Connor said there was some morning cloud around Wellington and a few showers in Taranaki.
Meanwhile, in the South Island the weather was “pretty fine” but rain is expected to develop around Fiordland, Westland and Southland later today.
There is a front moving up the island with heavy rain watches in place for Fiordland, Westland and parts of Otago, she said. There was also a strong wind watch for the southern half of the South Island, which could rise to gales in some places.
It's a typical summer day for many parts of the country today. File photo / Peter Meecham
Despite the poor weather in some areas, parts of the South Island, including Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin and Ashburton, were forecast to have highs around 31C today, but that was set to drop tomorrow.
“Tomorrow they will start off warm but as the front travels up the South Island they’re going to cool off, and probably be a bit happy about it, to be fair,” O’Connor said.
Temperatures would drop down into the 20s, and by Monday residents can expect a slight reprieve from the heat, with Christchurch forecast to have a high of 17C.
“It’s definitely going to be a pretty sharp change to what has happened in the last week down there.”
There is not much change tomorrow for the North Island, though some areas could get “a bit wet” on Sunday evening.
Hawke’s Bay will continue to stay fine and warm though, she said.
Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.
