Relief from the relentless humidity and heat for hundreds of thousands of people in the upper North Island has been delayed further as the incoming cold front stalls over the North Island.

In the past hours the frontal band has slowed its movement towards Auckland, Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty – the regions suffering most from the heat and humidity.

While the air temperature is in the mid to late 20s today across northern New Zealand the WeatherWatch.co.nz humidex, or feels like, temperature is much higher, around the low to mid 30s.

The line between the hot and cold air masses is clearly seen in the weather observations with Taranaki on 17 and 18 degrees this hour yet just a little further north in Hamilton it’s around 10 degrees hotter on 27.

Despite the slow movement the cool change is still heading northward but WeatherWatch.co.nz says it won’t reach Auckland until late tonight meaning some people will go to bed in hot and humid conditions but wake up fairly cool overnight.