As most of you would have noticed, large parts of New Zealand experienced sweltering temperatures today and it's expected to stay that way throughout the week.
The sun baked large parts of New Zealand today. Photo: 123RF
Hawke's Bay and parts of the Upper South Island reached the mid 30s with Napier and Blenheim hitting today's hottest temperatures in the country - both recording 35 degrees.
MetService said lot of places around the country topped 30 degrees.
Kerikeri, Paihia, Tauranga, Napier, Hastings, Masterton, Nelson, Christchurch, Ashburton, Wanaka and Alexandra were all expected to top 30C, with other centres largely in the high 20s.
Last night a 157 year temperature record was broken in Richmond near Nelson - the temperature didn't fall below 24.3 degrees overnight.
After the record-setting low, Richmond climbed to 33.8 degrees this afternoon - Wider Nelson's warmest January temperature on record (since 1862) and third-warmest overall.
The temperatures are expected to soar into the 30s again tomorrow for some parts of the country.
Marlborough is expected to hit 36 on the thermometer while parts of Waikato are predicted to reach 32 degrees.
The MetService said people needed to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol seek shade, wear a hat and check on the young and elderly as the country bakes.
Fire and Emergency said the fire danger was particularly bad in Northland, Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury.
For all the updates on temperatures and how to keep yourself cool, listen to RNZ or keep up to date on our website.