Temperatures could hit 40 degrees

Friday, 26 January 2018

Record breaking temperatures are set to continue with the days of summer yet to come.

Scorching temperatures on Thursday are expected to be beaten early next week, with Niwa saying 40 degrees Celsius is possible on Tuesday.

Thursday was particularly warm across Canterbury, with Niwa Weather reporting the town of Waiau got to 37C, the warmest temperature recorded in New Zealand in seven years. Hanmer Forest reached 36.2C.

Interior parts of Otago and Canterbury were expected to be particularly affected next week, with warm air coming from Australia pushing temperatures up.

Kahu Hunter-Brown of Nelson jumps in to Lake Rotoiti at St Arnaud during the hot weather.

Niwa principal forecasting scientist Chris Brandolino said 40C was 'a distinct possibility'.

MetService National Forecast

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Waiau in North Canterbury recorded the highest temperature in New Zealand since 2011 on Thursday with a high of 37C.

'Monday it's going to be hot. But Tuesday, that's when the heat is likely to be at its highest.

'That air is going to be likely warmer than it was yesterday… It makes sense, temperatures are going to be warmer than they were yesterday [Thursday],' he told The AM Show.

'Next week could be the hottest weather of summer. It very well could be,' principal forecasting scientist Chris Brandolino said.

The possibility temperatures could reach 40C was 'in the conversation'.

'I'm not going to promise that, but it's certainly a distinct possibility. I wouldn't say it's a likelihood but it's in the conversation,' he said.

'Next week could be the hottest weather of summer. It very well could be.'

The heat this summer was a result of a combination of warm air from the north, warm ocean temperatures, and climate change.

'Our atmosphere is warmer than it was 10 years ago, 30 years ago, 100 years ago. So when you have the alignment of all those three things, you get these extreme results.'

Wellington Zoo animals have been given ice treats to help them cope with the hot weather.

The highest temperature recorded in New Zealand was 42.2C in Rangiora on February 7, 1973. The North Island record was set on the same day, with 39.2C at Ruatoria.

COOL BEFORE THE HEAT

It's going to be a warm anniversary weekend in Auckland, with high temperatures just under 30C.

Parts of the South Island would have a reprieve from the scorching weather on Friday, but it stays hot for most of the North Island as some prepare for a long weekend.

There is a risk of severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening in much of the central North Island and inland areas of the upper South Island.

'In the western North Island from Waikato to Taumarunui and northern Taihape, where there is a high risk of severe thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening, the storms may also produce hail up to 15 or 20mm diameter and wind gusts to 80kmh,' MetService said.

After hitting 29C on Thursday and 32C the day before, MetService isn't expecting Christchurch to get past 22C on Friday, and there's a chance of morning drizzle.

MetService said a southerly coming through the east coast of the South Island was bringing slightly cooler air from Friday through to Sunday.

'In the case of yesterday [Thursday], and coming up over the next few days after a couple of weak cold fronts move through and the cloud clears, we're going to see strong sunshine, light winds and the left over tropical air mass that's sticking around,' MetService meteorologist Nick Zacher said.

A low pressure system could move over parts of the South Island by the middle of next week, but didn't appear likely to affect the North Island.

'There's a little bit of low pressure and a couple of troughs moving over the North Island at the moment, helping generate drizzle activity about the south coast,' Zacher said.

'The high pressure does return for the weekend and that looks to stick around at least through the middle of next week.'

HOT ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND

Further north, there was no let-up, with Auckland expecting a run of days in the high-20s.

MetService showed just a chance of isolated showers or drizzle for the country's largest city through to Sunday, while the forecast for Auckland anniversary day on Monday was for mainly fine weather with a high of 28C.

Northland, which was also having a long weekend, was forecast to have a run of warm days, but a degree or two cooler than Auckland, and was given a good chance of staying dry for the next five days.

The forecast was looking spectacular for Nelson, which also celebrated its anniversary on Monday, with highs of 26C and 27C forecast for the next five days, along with plenty of sunshine.

'We are under a high-pressure system, helping to give us calm, settled conditions, and allow plenty of sun to heat us up,' MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said. The high pressure system was keeping very warm and humid air over the country.

On Friday, MetService was forecasting a high of 33C for Taumarunui, 31C for Wanaka, and 30C for Hamilton and Alexandra.

There is a moderate chance of severe thunderstorms, in the Gisborne ranges, Rotorua, Taupo, and inland parts of of southern Marlborough, Nelson, Buller and northern Canterbury.

Wellington wasn't expected to reach the mid-20 highs of most days during the past fortnight, with a forecast maximum of 22C and a few spots of drizzle. It would warm up again from Saturday and was expected to have a run of dry days from Saturday.