Weather stations across Christchurch are showing temperatures have climbed over the 40 degree mark this afternoon as mainly clear skies and a gentle nor’wester create the hottest day in quite some time.

Christchurch based weather analyst Richard Green says thermometers have reached 40 degrees in the past hour.

Photo:  Thermometers across Christchurch are lifting above 40.  This one, sent in by Classic Hits listener Maxine Blackler shows 42 degrees at her Linwood home.

“Barrington is now recording a temperature of 41 degrees, 40 in Cashmere, 38 downtown (or 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and 35 out at the airport”.

The government takes official readings from the airport, where open grassed areas mean temperatures are usually a few degrees lower than in the city.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says temperatures are likely to continue to rise over the next hour.

“This is like being in the outback of Australia” says Green.  “It’s been quite some time since I’ve experienced heat like this”.

Back in September Mr Green predicted this summer would be extra hot for eastern areas.  “Higher than usual temperatures would be seen from Gisborne to Otago over the summer period as norwest winds were creating some very warm temps as early as the beginning of Spring”.  He says in the past a hot start to spring has often lead to very hot summers.