• Muggy conditions on the way for the North Island

• WeatherWatch.co.nz revises down todays thunderstorm risk, however increases tomorrows chances

Those who dislike the humidity will find tonight will be a restless one as moist northerly spreads over the country.

WeatherWatch.co.nz reports that humidity levels have steeply risen this afternoon as a frontal system approaches the country.  In the past couple of hours humidity levels in Auckland have surged from around 60% to 80% while in Whangarei it’s gone from 80% to 94%.

Easterly gales have been blasting across Cape Reinga with gusts over 100km/h in the past hour.  Strong northerlies are also affecting Auckland with gusts reaching 65km/h.

Humidity levels are also on the rise across Coromandel Peninsula where it’s currently 80%.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the heat and humidity have combined to make conditions uncomfortable for some.  “High humidity itself isn’t uncomfortable, as during winter the air is often damp, however when combined with temperatures in the mid to late 20s like today the ‘feels like’ temperature climbs into the low 30s”.

Mr Duncan says much of the North Island will barely dip below 20 degrees tonight.  “Some centres will fall into the mid teens however the feels like temperature due to the high humidity means most regions will feel like it’s between 20 and 25 degrees.  Humidity levels in the far north will most likely reach 100% in some places overnight as the front moves in”. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes a few rumbles of thunder are possible across Northland tonight but have now revised down their risks of thunder for all other regions.  “We think there’s a moderate risk of a thunderstorm over Northland this evening but a low risk for all other centres” says Mr Duncan.  “However tomorrow there’s a better chance of unstable conditions so that means a higher risk of thunderstorms for a number of main centres across the country including Auckland city”.