Hot, dry, heat is smothering the Waikato this afternoon while more humid conditions have returned to Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Northland, reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Hamilton and Paeroa are both officially on 29 degrees, but humidity is fairly low.  However the heat and lack of wind means it will feel much warmer.

Over in Bay of Plenty/Coromandel the air is much wetter – humidity is up around 80% – but the air temperatures are lower, around 24 or 25 degrees.  The feels like temperature is in the low 30s says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Aucklanders have 26 degrees – and climbing – with hazy, overcast, skies, as does Whangarei.

The hot weather has spread south too.  Taupo is currently on 25 degrees and the normal wintry township of Waiouru has 23.

Heat has also moved into Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kapiti and Hutt Valley with most places around 23 to 25 degrees this hour.

In the South Island Nelson has 24 and Central Otago is in the low to mid 20s.

Westport has 21.

Cooler easterlies continue to knock down the temperatures along the east coast, with Kaikoura on 16, Dunedin 17, Christchurch 18 and Timaru 19.

Invercargill has 17 degrees this hour.

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