Parts of the country saw temperatures in the high 20s or early 30s earlier this week. (File photo) Photo: RNZ/ Mohammad Alafeshat
After days of sweltering heat for much of the country temperatures should drop by a few degrees in coming days.
Earlier this week a heat alert was in place for Hawke's Bay and Gisborne with temperatures reaching 34C at Napier Airport and 32C in Wairoa.
Over the weekend many regions experienced temperatures in the high 20s or even early 30s.
But MetService said on Thursday there was a reprieve from the heat on the way, with temperatures across the country heading back down towards normal.
MetService meteorlogist John Law, said it was still hot on Thursday, especially for Waikato, which would reach 29C to 30C.
Law said the last few days had been four or five degrees above average for the time of year.
"It's nice for a few days but it takes its toll," he said.
Auckland was sitting at between 26C and 27C but would likely drop to mid 20s by the weekend.
Law said it would still be beach weather with the weekend looking generally dry, fine and settled.
Things would be a bit cooler down in Christchurch with temperatures of 18C-19C for the weekend, but this would heat back up next week to the high 20s.
Some spots in the central North Island, including Taumarunui, Waitomo and Waikato were still experiencing above average days which could hit 30C.
Wellington seemed to have avoided the extreme heat, Law said, but added there had been some "very nice days here".
The lower South Island was the only area which could expect some showers or even a rumble of thunder over the weekend, Law said, in Otago and South Canterbury.
"Law said it had been an unusually warm start to December and a "very warm" November.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
