Summer heat returned to many parts of the country yesterday with 27 degrees recorded in both Wanganui and Masterton. 

Temperatures in the mid 20s were recorded in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and in parts of Canterbury and Manawatu.  But some cooler air is on the way today and tomorrow thanks to a sou’westerly change.

A weak cold front passed over much of the country last night and another weaker one is moving through this morning for some parts and while it’s nothing dramatic is should knock temperatures back a couple of degrees in many areas.

The hot spots today will be Gisborne and Hawkes Bay again reaching the mid 20s.  Bay of Plenty and Rotorua are also likely to record temperatures in the low to mid 20s.  But most other centres will be in the lower 20s thanks to that slightly cooler sou’westerly breeze.

Yesterday’s heat was helped by a humid northerly flow ahead of the front.

Southland and coastal Otago will be exposed to the coldest air today.  Temperatures are only likely to reach the early teens, if that in Invercargill.  There’s even the chance of some hail about Southland.

Check back later this morning as we monitor the progress of any rain clouds and track where they’re clearing.

Following the cricket? 

Don’t forget to check out our special Hamilton forecasts this week right here on our homepage, or click here to go to the link (then bookmark it for fast updates).  We’ll be updating the forecast throughout the day with special updates if there are showers on the rain radar.