Christchurch has enjoyed a balmy Saturday so far with 20 degrees being topped, as a warm northerly takes hold of the city. For sportspeople it has been a dramatic change from the wet and cold of recent weeks with conditions more like September or October rather  than mid June.

Much of the country this afternoon is reveling in warmer temperatures overall with the mid to high teens being predominant. Winds are strong from the northeast over parts of the upper north and strong winds with further gusts are likely to continue.

Queenstown and Wanaka are enjoying temperatures around 15 and 16 degrees which is unusually warm for the time of year. It might concern a few ski operators though however the mild conditions aren’t expected to last for any significant period.