MetService forecaster Tuporo Masters said there was high pressure over New Zealand, which led to lots of warm air.
That warm air, combined with clear skies, left tiny Central Otago township Millers Flat at a high of 32.5degC at 4pm.
It was the warmest place in the country, followed closely by Lower Hut at 32.3degC.
In third place was Invercargill, which hit 32.2degC at 2pm, just 0.1degC shy of the all-time record of 32.3degC recorded in January 2018.
It was the second time the city had recorded a temperature over 32degC, the third-highest record being 31.6degC recorded in 1966.
Alexandra was the fourth-hottest with 31.8degC.
Temperatures were expected to fall from tomorrow, and by Thursday most of the region would be sitting a little higher than 20degC, Mr Masters said.
It would be no record breaker, but it could be a more pleasant experience than the ‘‘extreme weather’’ yesterday.
‘‘You can get your washing done easily.’’
Wanaka recorded a high of 28.8degC, Dunedin Airport reached 28.6degC, Queenstown hit 28degC and Balclutha reached 27degC.
Things were cooler nearer the coast, Dunedin recording a high of 25degC.
