Timaru was the winner today with the national high of 32 degrees under sweltering sunshine but Christchurch notched up 31 degrees along with Ashburton with nor’ west breezes at times.

Dunedin hit 30 degrees as did Oamaru and the heat is expected to move to the North Island tomorrow especially across northern and eastern areas.

A considerable cool down is on the way for the centres that have scored big in the south today as a southerly wind change could see temperatures chopped in half.

Scrubfires west of Christchurch may see a band of rain or a period of showers overnight or in the morning to help dampen down those hot spots.
Hot nor’ westers aren’t expected again anytime soon for the Canterbury region but nor’ east winds are likely to predominate over the next few days with temperatures warming up this weekend.

The coolest centre today was Milford Sound with 17 degrees.

Main centres

Auckland 26

Tauranga 24

Hamilton 26

Wellington 23

Christchurch 31

Dunedin 30

WeatherWatch.co.nz