New Zealand / Weather

Spring scorcher on the cards as warmer weather arrives

08:40 am on 7 November 2018

Hotter than average temperatures are expected for eastern parts of the country today, but MetService says it's not beach weather just yet.

MetService predicts Gisborne and Napier to hit 25C today and Christchurch to reach 24C.

Although rain is expected later today for parts of the South Island and tomorrow in the North Island.

But MetService meteorologist Philippa Murdoch said before the rain arrives, it will be humid.

"It's particularly eastern areas that are going to feel those higher-than-average temperatures over the next couple of days.

"Mid-20s from Canterbury and Otago regions and mid, maybe high, 20s for Gisborne and Wairarapa," she said.

"In the east it will be reasonably dry but there will probably be quite a bit of higher cloud so not huge amounts of sunshine and also pretty windy and gusty so maybe not the best day for the beach."

A heavy rain warning was in place for western parts of the South Island.

"There's a big slab of really moist warm air coming down from the Tasman so that's what's carrying all that moisture that's going to drop on the West Coast."

Areas included in the warning are the ranges of Buller and northwest Nelson, Headwaters of Canterbury lakes and rivers, Westland north of Ōtiria, Westland south of Ōtiria and Fiordland.

Strong 130 km/h winds are also expected for Canterbury High Country and a warning is in place.