North Islanders sweltering in muggy heat

Photo / Greg Bowker

Heat, gales and heavy rain are all part of a summer's day in New Zealand.

In Auckland today, the WeatherWatch Centre says high humidity and a hot sun have helped boost the "feels like" temperature into the low 30s although the actual air temperature mid-afternoon is 28C.

Last night at midnight, the temperature was 23C across the region and another hot night is on the way, but windier conditions should help somewhat for those struggling to sleep.

Other parts of the country are also feeling the heat. In Whangarei, temperatures have hit 29C. In Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne it is up to 27C and 28 in Napier and Hastings. There are a few showers mainly about Manawatu and Taranaki.

While temperatures soared in the north and east, winds whipped across the south and east and heavy rain fell in the west.

Wellington has been lashed by a gusty northerly with the temperature 21C across the city and up to the Kapiti Coast.

A gusty nor'wester is driving temperatures up along the South Island's east coast. Yesterday Kaikoura took the national high with 34C and this afternoon it is 30C with winds gusting to 85km/h. Timaru reached 29 and Christchurch 26, Dunedin 24C.

In contrast, heavy rain is falling around Milford Sound with spillover from Fiordland into the Lakes District and Southland not enough to reverse current fire bans. Cooler winds are also blowing across Southland with temperatures currently 15 and 16C over the region.

- Newstalk ZB