MetService National Weather: January 12th - 15th
Video / MetService
Temperatures are climbing this afternoon as Auckland starts to swelter under a heat warning.
MetService says the temperature is set to rise to 27C but will feel even hotter, with 98 per cent humidity.
Just before 3pm the temperature had reached 25.9C, with a “feels like” temperature of 26C, according to the MetService website. Humidity in the city was at 55 per cent.
Forecasters had earlier warned today was expected to be “uncomfortably warm and muggy”, with light winds and sea breezes.
A heat alert has also been issued for tomorrow, with a high of 28C forecast and muggy conditions expected to continue.
“The temperature is forecast to be very hot for this location. We advise you to keep hydrated, seek shade, check in with vulnerable people and look after your pets and livestock,” MetService warned.
🥵 Warm air hangs around for a few more days
☕ Today's maximum temperatures are forecast to reach the mid to high...
Both are forecast to reach 29C and enjoy sunny skies tomorrow.
Elsewhere, temperatures in the mid to high 20s are forecast today in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Marlborough and some central parts of the South Island.
Twizel, in the South Island’s Mackenzie Country, topped 31C earlier this afternoon.
At 3pm it had the country’s highest temperature, 30.6C. The coldest was Waitati, north of Dunedin, at 16.9C.
The fine weather is expected to last the weekend for much of the country, before rain hits the North Island early next week.
It was another warm day across New Zealand yesterday, with the majority of regions welcoming mid-to-late 20C heat.
The highest of yesterday’s temperatures were seen down in the eastern South Island, with three places reaching 33C.
It was a gusty and hot 🥵 summer's day in the eastern South Island, where three locations reached or exceeded 33°C this afternoon. 🌡️
After a slight cool down on Friday, the heat will return full-force over the weekend, followed by a MUCH cooler Monday. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/ZFsPgIosxW
Meanwhile, a warm, moist northwesterly flow delivered heavy rain to the west and the south of the South Island.
Fiordland, north of Doubtful Sound, and Westland, south of the glaciers, were briefly struck by heavy rain, prompting weather warnings and watches over the regions.
MetService said the sweltering heat will stick around through the weekend before cool winds take over the South Island and heavy rain strikes the north.
“A weak cold front travels up the South Island overnight into Friday bringing about a change to easterly winds on Friday morning and low cloud pushing on to the east coast with the return of ridge conditions,” MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor said.
“North Islanders will be mostly unaffected, aside from cloudier conditions to start about the Kāpiti Coast and Wellington.”
👀 Looking ahead to the end of the working week 👀
A strong ridge of high pressure dominates Te Ika-a-Maui/North Island through the next few days
🌧💨A cold front affects the lower Te Waipounamu/South Island today and tomorrow, with a 🟡💨 Strong Wind Watch and a 🟠🌧 Heavy… pic.twitter.com/MY6oG41xMu
The ridge over the South Island is expected to be short-lived before another warm, moist northwesterly flow develops Saturday morning and travels northwards up the country.
O’Connor said temperatures will pick up again over the weekend, with some areas likely to reach 33C.
“Temperatures are forecast to rise once more in the east of the South Island, but the east of the North Island will feel it too this time: Models are currently indicating that Hastings could reach 33C on Sunday,” O’Connor said.
Today looks to be the 'coolest' day out of the next several for Auckland. 😯
Forecast max temp from our in-house ensemble model, an 18 member (or scenarios) ensemble system.
3 hourly forecast max temps are grouped by colour & box & whisker plot.
The North Island is set to be struck by heavy rain on Monday. Photo / MetService
“Despite the rain, it will still be pretty warm and humid,” Law said.
A drastic temperature change will be felt across the South Island to start the week, however, where highs over Monday and Tuesday will be around 17C, down from scorching early 30Cs felt this week.
“After seeing those temperatures I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to weather a little more comfortable,” Law said.
How to keep your kids cool this summer
While New Zealand experiences hot summer weather, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand is reminding parents to be especially mindful of making sure babies and toddlers are kept hydrated and are not exposed to too much sun.
“If you are feeling uncomfortable in the heat, your baby will be too. Babies are less capable of regulating their temperature, hot weather can quickly overcome your baby resulting in overheating and possible dehydration,” said Starship paediatrician Dr Jin Russell.
“Most importantly, never leave your baby or toddler alone in the car. A car’s interior can heat up very quickly when the windows are wound up and your child will overheat very quickly which can be potentially fatal.”
If you are at all worried about your baby or toddler you can call Healthline 24/7 for free health advice on 0800 611 116. Advice will be provided on what to do and where to go if you need to be seen urgently.
Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.
