Temperatures to stay mostly above 20C for at least the next 10 days

Thursday, 28 November 2019

The warm weather is expected to cool across both islands in time for the weekend.

If you got your first sunburn of the summer this past weekend, you weren't alone. Beaches around the country had their busiest day in months, and anyone watching the Blackcaps test at the Bay Oval will have seen more than their fair share of shirtless Barmy Army supporters burnt to a crisp by the sun.

Huge swaths of warm air are making their way south from Australia and the tropics, meaning at least another week of warm, humid conditions.

That's having an even bigger impact in eastern areas like Canterbury and Hawke's Bay, due to the wind drying out and warming up even further as it passes over mountain ranges.

Beaches around the country should be busy again this weekend.

Along with that warm air is long-lasting hazy smoke which is making its way over from the Australian bushfires.

* Australian volunteer firefighter charged with lighting seven fires deliberately

* Choking on smoke and pelted by storms: Sydney hit with thunder and hail**

The Metservice extended forecast, which covers the next 10 days, shows no signs of change. Almost everywhere, temperatures are set to remain above 20 degrees Celsius

One weird statistical anomaly: Auckland has the same forecasted high of 23C five days in a row. In fact, it's expected to get 23C in eight of the next 10 days. The other two days, it's going to be 24C.

According to Metservice meteorologist Andrew James are some fronts coming bringing short bursts of rain, but nothing that will bring a cold air mass that would change temperatures significantly.

Auckland will see a downpour late Friday, and Wellington will be hit Sunday and Monday, but temperatures will remain high.

Christchurch, which has enjoyed a sweltering week in the high 20s, will drop to a bone-chilling 19C on Friday, before seeing a quick rebound to 27C on Sunday.