ITt was a stunner! Christmas Day brought sunshine to everyone in Otago yesterday, with temperatures averaging 28degC across the region.
Alexandra's high of 33degC was the hottest recorded temperature, closely followed by highs of 31degC in Cromwell and 30degC in Wanaka and Queenstown.
Dunedin reached 26degC at the airport and 21degC in the city, but those spoken to by the Otago Daily Times insisted it was warmer.
Amateur weather stations around the city showed Fairfield recorded 27degC, Waverley 28degC and Belleknowes 25degC early in the afternoon.
Hundreds of people swam and sunbathed at Brighton and St Clair Beaches, and others sprawled on the grass in parks and reserves.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) confirmed Dunedin's hottest Christmas temperature was 32degC, recorded at Dunedin International Airport in 2009.
Balclutha's high yesterday was 24degC and Oamaru's 23degC.
Southland also experienced dry, sunny weather for Christmas.
Invercargill shared its high of 28degC with Gore and the region's average high was 27degC.
In comparison, much of the North Island was wet and windy.
Rain in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Wairarapa was expected to last until the weekend.
Wellington escaped bad weather yesterday and recorded a high of 27degC but rain was forecast for the capital today and tomorrow.
The lower South Island was expected to remain mainly fine.
rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
