The humidity levels have reached uncomfortable levels in the upper North Island as ex-tropical cyclones Zelia and Vania pull down air from the tropics.

The humidity in Auckland this afternoon is around 80% with it expected to move back up to 100% again tonight.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the humidex temperature – which measures humidex plus air temperature to create a ‘feels like’ reading – says it’s currently 36 degrees.

Many would agree that it feels that hot with numerous comments posted to WeatherWatch.co.nz saying conditions are not pleasant.

Image : 2pm MetService rain radar showing Zelia’s rain band moving into Northland and another larger rain band pushing into the upper South Island.  Click the image to go to the MetService website.

Rain One reader described the humidity and wind as “torture” while another in Kerikeri described it as “yuck”.

The tropical heat isn’t confined to Auckland and Northland either, with people even at the bottom of the South Island talking about the high humidity levels.

Weather analyst Richard Green says it is one of the most humid days his Canterbury weather station has recorded in the past for or five years.

Meanwhile there is no end in sight for the humidity apart from a brief break on Thursday as a southerly comes through.

By the weekend humidity will push back in to Auckland and other northern regions with wet, humid, weather lingering until at least Monday, predicts WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Winds

Strong winds continue to push over the upper North Island as the remnants of Zelia move by.  Zelia’s centre is now west of Auckland but has significantly fallen apart since daybreak.

The winds will continue to slowly rise but WeatherWatch.co.nz no longer predicts severe gales in the upper North Island with Zelia tracking too far offshore.  Last night the cyclone, still category 3, began to dramatically shift course, but this morning it has moved back on track and is now expected to die out while merging with the new larger low covering all of New Zealand.

Gale force northerlies remain at Cape Reinga with gusts to 80km/h.

Near gale force winds are also affecting Auckland Harbour but gusts in the city are around 60 to 70km/h.

Temperatures (not including humidex)

Meanwhile it’s hot and humid in Wanganui and Palmerston North, where temperatures have reached 29 and 31 degrees respectively.

Gisborne has 30 and Auckland, Wellington and Paeroa share 27.

Lower Hutt has 29 degrees.

Despite the humid flow over the South Island most main centres are between 17 and 21 degrees.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

---

Follow WeatherWatch.co.nz on Facebook and Twitter

• WeatherWatch.co.nz on Facebook
• WeatherWatch.co.nz on Twitter
• Philip Duncan on Twitter