As we draw closer to the middle of January, we are rapidly approaching mid-summer and although parts of December were a little unsettled in some areas of the country, the start of  2009 has produced summer-like temperatures in many places.

The mercury is usually around 20 degrees on average in the deep south, 22-24 in central regions and around 23-25 degrees further north.  Overall, daytime highs have been near enough to average if not a little above in a number of regions and currently some temperatures out east are looking at more than 10 degrees higher than normal.

A heatwave is about to take hold of the eastern and northern parts of the nation over the next 48 hours or so.  Overseas, these can last for days or weeks on end, whereas in NZ they tend to be shorter in nature but can be every bit as intense.

In September I predicted that some higher than usual temperatures would be seen from Gisborne to Otago over the summer period as norwest winds were creating some very warm temps as early as the beginning of Spring. 

Over the next couple of days I believe there is potential for this prediction to eventuate with some very high temperatures set to occur as the heat moves across the Tasman from Australia in a northwesterly flow.  High cloud might prevent the heat from being a record breaker but the mercury should still manage to top the 30 degree mark in those areas in the lee of the ranges.

Whatever the weather, ponder this…

Whether the weather is hot or whether the weather is not, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not!!

Weather Analyst – Richard Green