It’s a nation of two halves today as tropical heat pushes across the North Island but a fairly cool southerly flow blows across the South.

Tauranga Airport reached 31 degrees today with WeatherWatch.co.nz predicting the CBD and neighbouring suburbs may have even been as high as 32 or 33.

Kawerau and Hastings also topped 31 degrees today.

27s and 28s coverered Auckland, Waikato and Northland along with moderate to high humidity that saw some heavy but isolated downpours over the Auckland region today.

But as you head south the temperature does the same thing.  Wellington had a southerly and 17 degrees earlier today but climbed to 23 in the end. Kaikoura had a strong, cold, southerly and just 14 degrees at 2:30pm.

Christchurch reached 19 degrees but Timaru only made 16 and inland at Darfield it only reached 15 degrees today.

Most South Island centres were between 16 and 22 degrees today however Nelson reached 26 and Blenheim 27.

See today’s full listing of daily highs here

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

Homepage image / Nelson in the sun, CM Kong