Heatwave ahead as mid-30s forecast for parts of NZ

New Zealand is set for a spell of extreme summer heat over the coming days, with forecasts showing temperatures climbing into the mid-30s in several regions, according to a weather news report by Stuff. However, unsettled weather conditions are expected first, including the risk of thunderstorms in parts of the country.

Stuff reports that the east of the North Island is forecast to be the hottest area. Napier is expected to reach 32C on Friday, rise to 33C on Saturday and peak at 35C on Sunday. Hastings is forecast to be even warmer, with temperatures of 33C on Friday, 35C on Saturday and up to 36C on Sunday.

The heat is not expected to be limited to the upper North Island. Blenheim is forecast to hit 33C on Friday before easing to 31C on Saturday and 30C on Sunday. Christchurch is expected to reach around 29C on both Friday and Saturday, while Hamilton is forecast to top out at about 27C. Timaru is expected to reach 32C on Sunday, Stuff said.

Before the hottest conditions arrive, Wednesday’s forecast is expected to remain changeable. Stuff said MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay between 1pm and 9pm.

Hot and mostly settled conditions are forecast for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. However, Stuff reported that isolated showers are expected to develop through Wednesday afternoon and evening, with some potentially heavy and thundery, and hail also possible. Areas east of Rotorua could experience sudden and heavy downpours.

Across Waikato through to Taranaki, including Taumarunui and Taihape, conditions are expected to be generally fine, though inland areas could see isolated showers later in the day, according to Stuff.

Further south, from Whanganui to Wellington and across Wairarapa, Marlborough and Nelson, Stuff said cloud is expected in the morning and evening, with generally fine weather in between.

The West Coast, from Buller to Westland, is forecast to remain more unsettled, with partly cloudy skies, showers in South Westland and isolated showers developing elsewhere, particularly around the ranges.

Canterbury is expected to remain mostly settled, though some areas may start the day with low cloud and could see isolated showers later in the afternoon and evening, Stuff reported.

Otago and Southland are forecast to be at higher risk of thunderstorms, with scattered showers developing during the afternoon and evening, some of which could be heavy, thundery and accompanied by hail. In Fiordland, rain — possibly heavy — is expected to ease to showers later in the evening. The Chatham Islands are forecast to have partly cloudy conditions.

Stuff said that while Wednesday’s conditions may remain unpredictable, the outlook for the weekend is clear, with intense heat expected to dominate across much of the country.