Auckland not only experienced its hottest day of the summer – but the hottest since records began back in 1968.

Niwa Climate expert, Jim Salinger, says today’s high was the highest since their records began and equals a high recorded in the Auckland Domain 137 years ago, in 1872. 

During the 3pm hour the temperature at the official weather station at Whenuapai Airbase reached 32.4 – the hottest ever recorded there. 

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan says the reason for the extra hot weather was due to a clearance of cloud in the skies along with a gusty nor’wester. 

“Similar to the Canterbury nor’wester, West Auckland can also receive a jump in temps when a nor’wester blows – thanks to the Waitakere Ranges.  That coupled with hot air already over the city and a surprise break in the clouds so the sun could come out, meant the temperatures surged up in western suburbs”.

Across south and east Auckland it was only around 28 degrees – significantly lower without the warming affect of the wind.

“WeatherWatch.co.nz’s thermometer in West Auckland recorded 34 degrees fuelled by a hot nor’wester” says Duncan.

He says although humidity is lower today the intense heat and sunnier skies means it feels much hotter.  “Our humidex reading, which is a calculation of heat and humidity and what it feels like on your skin, is recording a whopping 38 degrees in Auckland”.

WeatherWatch.co.nz exclusively forecast a mostly dry day today but the clearance of cloud even surprised them.  “The rain band moving in is slower than some forecasters thought for the Auckland region but skies have this afternoon temporarily cleared ahead of it.  This has given a rapid rise in afternoon temperatures”.

The latest rain radar shows the front bringing heavy rain to western areas of the North Island but the rain isn’t expected to set in across Auckland until this evening.

“Some people who have recently been in Melbourne have found the heat in Auckland just as hot this week, but in a much different way.  They report that the breeze is cooler but the humidity makes it feel just as hot and exhausting”.

Meanwhile Christchurch is having it’s second coldest day of the summer according to Weather Anlayst Richard Green.  

Mr Green says it’s currently 12.8 degrees and still raining.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz / NZ Herald