Yesterday’s national high was 27 in Alexandra and today and tomorrow summer-like highs will continue to grow.

Last week many South Island centres shivered on highs below the teen mark, but as of today that’s all about to change.   Part of Otago and Canterbury, especially inland, are likely to reach the late 20s with highs around the mid 20s in the main centres, such as Christchurch and Otago.

The temperatures are being fanned by a developing hot nor’wester but while Tuesday and Wednesday look set to be hot, possibly hitting 30 inland tomorrow, a cold southerly change on Thursday will see highs fall to the low to mid teens.

However it’s going to be short lived – the sea-saw effect of the nor’wester (on again, off again) will see it return on Friday again bumping temperatures into the mid to late 20s before an easterly wind arrives in the weekend levelling temperatures out around the late teen/20 degree mark.

Meanwhile in Australia 12 regions of the state will face total fire bans tomorrow including Greater Sydney.   There are 40 degree temperatures and some westerly winds forecast.

– WEATHERWATCH.CO.NZ, with ARN