Unusually hot weather was recorded in many parts of New Zealand today, as fires in Australia pushed our temperatures up.
Bushfires in Australia are contributing to warmer weather in New Zealand, MetService forecaster Andy Best says. Photo: AFP
MetService forecaster Andy Best said in many New Zealand towns and cities, temperatures were eight to 10 degrees higher than the average maximum for this time of year.
Karikari, Masterton, Blenheim, Christchurch and Lyttelton all had temperatures in the high 20s this afternoon.
"This is because a lot of the heat from the bushfires in Australia has been transported across the Tasman Sea," Mr Best said.
Smoke from 57 wildfires burning in Queensland and 68 fires in New South Wales is also making the air hazy in parts of New Zealand, he said.