The South Island has baked under record challenging heat in some areas yesterday as a strong northerly flow took charge.

Christchurch hit 33 degrees while a number other nearby centres climbed into the late 20s and low 30s.

Further south and parts of Central Otago and the Lakes District hit the late 20s. 

On Friday Invercargill took the nations high with 27 degrees, heat that is not common in Southland even in December.  The record December high for Invercargill was 31.1 in 1940. 

However while 27 degrees was recorded an hour inland from Invercargill yesterday it was not a repeat in the Southland city, with a high of just 18 under gloomy conditions.

Today will see cooler weather for those in the east and south but more hot weather is on the way.

WeatherWatch.co.nz weather analyst Richard Green says a hot nor’wester will kick in on Tuesday and may see some inland and eastern areas reaching as high as the mid 30s.

Homepage image / Ron Symons