Summer has finally arrived in parts of the South, where the mercury has sizzled past 30°C for a second day - and we're in for another hot one tomorrow.
Yesterday was the hottest day of summer so far, with Dunedin and Oamaru on the east coast sending waves of people to beaches and other cool-off spots.
The official temperature readings reached 30.9°C in Dunedin and 32.6°C in Oamaru between 2pm and 3pm yesterday.
The hottest spot in New Zealand was nearby in Timaru, where the temperature reached 33.3°C just before 4pm.
By contrast, it was a much cooler 18°C in Dunedin, 19°C in Invercargill and 20°C in Oamaru.
However, MetService warned sweltering temperatures would continue on Saturday for many areas.
Dunedin was set for another sweltering 31°C, Oamaru had a forecast high of 28°C and Invercargill 26°C, while Alexandra was expected to reach 30°C, Wānaka 27°C and Queenstown 25°C.
But from Sunday, a cool change would see temperatures dropping to between the high teens and low 20s into next week.
MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor said a warm, moist northwesterly flow delivered rain to the west and the south of the South Island yesterday, resulting in a heavy rain watch.
And as it travelled over the Southern Alps, the flow dried out and heated up in a "classic foehn wind scenario", pushing up the mercury as it reached eastern areas.
In Oamaru, the soaring temperature drew many to the beach and ice cream shops.
John Woodham and granddaughter Annabel (3) took shelter from the sun while eating an ice cream. He said Oamaru residents were more used to cloudy, coastal weather than the boiling temperatures experienced yesterday.
Their afternoon plans were to "keep cool".
"We’re melting, that’s for sure," Mr Woodham said.
Ms O’Connor said a weak cold front would travel up the South Island today, bringing easterly winds and low cloud.
But another warm, moist northwesterly flow would develop tomorrow morning.
"Temperatures are forecast to rise once more in the east of the South Island. MetService advises anyone out and about in the sunshine over the next few days to remain sun smart: slip, slop, slap and wrap, and make sure you have sufficient fluids to keep you hydrated."
Cooler air was on the horizon, so people should make the most of the heatwave.
"A fresh southwesterly change early Monday will be in sharp contrast to the hot weather of the weekend," Ms O’Connor said.
"Maximum temperatures are forecast to barely reach the high teens early next week.
"In some places, this is even lower than recent overnight temperatures, which might be appreciated by anyone who has been struggling to sleep this last week."
- additional reporting ODT Online
