As temperature records continue to tumble across Otago, parts of the region have received a drought classification.
Figures provided by MetService show Dunedin and Queenstown have bettered their historical maximum averages for January and other Otago towns are expected to follow suit once their temperatures are collated.
The record temperatures have led to the Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and Clutha districts and Southland receiving a drought classification.
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Communities Damien O'Connor announced yesterday funding of up to $130,000 for rural support trusts and industry groups to co-ordinate support.
He said farmers had been unable to grow sufficient winter feed and had been using stored feed, buying in supplements for stock and selling off animals.
While rain was predicted this week, the drought had already taken its toll on farms.
Dunedin's mean January temperature is 18.3degC, more than 3degC hotter than the historical average of 15.2degC and 1.5degC hotter than the maximum average of 16.8degC, recorded in 1975.
Queenstown has also bettered its January maximum average of 18degC set in 1971, with an average of 20.1degC.
That is up from its January average of 15.7degC.
MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said it was almost certain other towns in Otago would better their average monthly temperature once their data was collated, early next month.
Both Clyde (37.6degC) and Middlemarch (37.4degC) recorded their hottest temperatures yesterday.
Clyde's high was the eighth-hottest temperature recorded by Niwa in New Zealand for January, while Middlemarch's high was the 10th.
Before the predicted storm hits from tonight, temperatures are expected to climb into the low-30s mid-30s in inland Otago and on the coast.
Fire crews and helicopters are still on standby as the fire risk rises to the extreme level. People have been advised to postpone machinery work that might generate a spark or heat.
McAlpine Hussmann air-conditioning supervisor Nic Tanner said the company had been ''flat out'' installing and fixing air-conditioning units around Dunedin. Suppliers were also struggling to keep up with the sudden increase in demand.
