Summer set to sizzle in the north

Mairangi Bay were among dozens of crews in Whangamata yesterday for the NZ Surf Boat Series. Photo / Christine Cornege

High temperatures forecast, but South Islanders will need to break out board games as heavy rain gathers

Bright skies and high temperatures over the North Island mean the beach is the place to be, with the good weather expected to last for the next few days. People swarmed to the seaside yesterday, taking advantage of the summer sun at beaches all around Auckland, the Far North and holiday favourites Whangamata, Tauranga and Mt Maunganui.

The MetService said most of the North Island could look forward to more of the same for several days, a temperature high of 26°C forecast for Auckland today and tomorrow.

There will be periods of light rain in the city tomorrow morning, but that should clear by the early afternoon.

Those further north are also in for balmy weather - temperatures of 25°C to 28°C are forecast for Whangarei and Kerikeri.

Waikato will receive some rain today and tomorrow, but it will be mostly fine with highs of 25°C.

MetService duty forecaster Leigh Matheson said most of the North Island would be treated to fine weather through to the weekend, although rain was predicted for Sunday.

"(Tomorrow) we have another front that's approaching the country and that'll bring a bit more rain on the North Island," she said.

"But there's likely to be strong gales in the upper South Island and lower North Island."

Windy Wellington will live up to its name this weekend, with strong winds forecast today through to Sunday, easing on Monday which is looking fine.

Those in the South Island will have to get out the board games this weekend, as showers and heavy rain are forecast in most areas.

There was a severe weather warning - heavy rain and northwest gales - issued late last night, and a front was expected to move in overnight and early this morning.

Rainfall of 180mm to 220mm was forecast in Westland and Fiordland this morning and 250mm to 300mm was possible in higher parts of the Southern Alps.