Northlanders swelter in the heat

The official high temperature in Whangarei yesterday was 27.2C, but many across the region would have felt it was far hotter than that.

And they could be right, with the MetService recording Whangarei's official temperature in a shaded, louvred box at Whangarei Airport.

MetService media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett said yesterday's official high was 27.2C at 3.15pm.

Several readers reported temperatures over 30C yesterday and Mr Corbett said that didn't mean they were wrong, but other factors could also come into play.

"It could well be the case that they have experienced temperatures over 30C and it's going to be one of two degrees warmer inland (than at Whangarei Airport). But their home thermometers may not be as well calibrated as the official one and it may also be getting heat reflected from other surfaces that could pus the temperature up," he said. "So while that's the official temperature it will always be higher or lower in other places in Whangarei."

The fine weather is likely to stay until tomorrow when there could be a few showers. Saturday should be fine with possible showers before more fine weather on Sunday.