Bay of Plenty's Kawerau reaches high of 34.6C as much of NZ has a scorching Sunday
Sunday, 3 November 2019
Kiwis across the country have been going for swims and slapping on sunscreen as temperatures soared past 30 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Bay of Plenty's Kawerau was the country's hottest place, with temperatures hitting 34.6C between 3pm and 4pm.
Inland Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago were also hot, with temperatures at 30C or close to it.
On Sunday afternoon, Metservice meteorologist Andrew James said Christchurch Airport reached 31.6C, but it was cooler in Auckland (18.4C) and Wellington (20C).
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The overall November record for New Zealand is 35.6C, which was recorded at Canterbury's Lake Coleridge in 1920.
Over the next few weeks, people could expect the warm weather to stick around but it would not be as warm as Sunday's temperatures.
Temperatures across the country would be in the early 20s but some places could hit 30C, James said.
Wellington did not reach the highs of some other areas but that did not stop Nia Leighton, 14, DJ Perenise, 14, and Caitlin Stewart, 15, from lapping up the sunshine in Paremata.
The trio, who go to school together, were sun bathing near a local yacht club in the Paremata Inlet.
Although sailors were wearing wet-suits and there a distinct nip to the wind, they said it was too nice a day to stay inside.
'We are trying to get some sun,' Caitlin said.
The water was cold but they had been out three weeks ago and today was much warmer, they said.
Earlier in the day, MetService meteorologist Andy Best said much of the country was in for a hot day, and we had Australia to thank for it.
An area of high pressure in the Tasman Sea has allowed warm air to cross from Australia.
Last week, temperatures in Australia reached as high as 40C.
The cooling effect of the ocean meant that when it got here, we could expect temperatures in the low 30s, Best said.
'It is relatively unusual. It is not unknown but we are still in spring and it is not officially summer.'
Predicted temperatures for Sunday included: Christchurch 30C, Ashburton 25C, Invercargill 25C, Masterton 30C, Napier 31C, Tauranga 28C, Auckland 21C, Gisborne 26C, and Wellington 20C.
Best said anyone feeling the heat should remember the warm air would have little affect on the sea temperature.
Wellington and Auckland bathers should expect water about 15C.