The east coast of the South Island was baking again today, but the West Coast could be in for a wet night.
Photo: 123 RF
Cromwell was the warmest spot in New Zealand today - reaching 32 degrees - while Timaru and Alexandra and Blenheim all reached 31.
It's the second day in a row temperatures have soared in towns throughout the South Island.
Yesterday Invercargill, Balclutha and Ashburton reached 29 degrees while other eastern centres hit the mid to high 20s.
MetService forecaster James Millward said the South Island's east coast was one of the best spots to be while Hawke's Bay also bathed in sunshine.
But the story isn't as good for the other coast of the country, particularly in the south.
"We do have a severe weather watch out for west and south of Otira, and Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound, and that runs through right until 9am tomorrow morning.
"That's the kind of rainfall accumulation reaching 70-80 millimetres in kind of an 18 hour period," Mr Millward said.
Mr Millward said that weather could lead to thunderstorms further west tomorrow.