Weather worry for Hawke's Bay spring show

In the wake of the latest MetService regional forecast, Hawke's Bay Spring Show organisers, competitors and visitors will be keeping their fingers crossed the weather plays ball for show week.

But they may have to cross their toes too as rising winds and possible showers are on the meteorological menu for Thursday. Westerly winds appear set to dominate weather over much of the country.

The winds are scheduled to kick off today, especially throughout Central Hawke's Bay where gale-force gusts are anticipated.

Wednesday is forecast to be fine and warm, although with "strengthening" northwesterlies.

Thursday is the uncertain day in the show week equation.

"Rain and strong winds are likely over much of the North Island for a time on Thursday," MetService chief forecaster Peter Kreft said.

While Friday is set to be mainly fine across the Bay, the winds will continue to be gusty, and temperatures are forecast to slip from the high teens to mid teens.

Mr Kreft said the weather for the long weekend was still too early to call but the picture will be "clearer in a couple of days".