It's been a week of warm weather, with daytime temperatures exceeding 30C in many spots at times. Christchurch reached
33.3C on Tuesday while on Wednesday the temperature in Palmerston North reached 31.9C, the warmest day there since
January 2011. Heading into the weekend, a change of air mass brings with it some cooler temperatures by day and by
night, as well as a welcome reduction in humidity.
The warm moist air that raised temperatures also helped to generate a blanket of fog that pushed into Wellington and
parts of the lower North Island, as well as the eastern coast of the South Island, during Wednesday night and into
Thursday.
"The layer of low cloud and fog made for a grey start to the day in many spots this morning," MetService meteorologist
John Law commented, "but as the temperatures continued to rise, the fog and low cloud thinned and lifted leaving some
brighter weather for the afternoon." However, some of these fog banks may return this evening.
Friday and the start of the weekend will see continued warm and humid conditions across the North Island, but a change
in the weather is forecast as a front moves across the country on Saturday, bringing a respite to the heat. "The mix of
warm air and moisture could result in some showery activity in the north on Saturday, some of which could be heavy. It
could be a day to keep a close eye on the radar," Law said.
Showers extending into the capital on Saturday are forecast to clear in time for the AMI Round The Bays event on Sunday.
"It looks like better running weatheron Sunday, with some fine weather returning to Wellington, along with slightly
cooler temperatures and breezy northerly winds slowly fading away," Law said.
ENDS