Many parts of New Zealand are going to be hot over the next few days as high pressure continues to feed in warmer than average air over the country.

In the South Island today temperatures will be over 8 degrees above normal while North Islanders will be over 5 degrees above normal – especially inland.

Downpours develop in the afternoons especially this weekend where they may have thunder and hail also.

The high is expected to stick around until this time next week for northerners but may weaken somewhat for southerners later next week.