Christchurch was one of the warmest places in the country this morning, with the city already at 26 degrees before lunchtime.
(File image) Photo: fesus robert / 123RF
For four days now, the garden city has seen temperatures up over 25 degrees, marking a sharp change from last week's torrential rain and winter-like conditions. It is expected to hit 30 degrees today.
People in Christchurch were flocking to pools and playgrounds as the city's temperature hit a 28 degrees this afternoon.
Margaret Holloway said her two grandchildren from Wellington had been enjoying playing in the water at the Margaret Mahy Playground.
The boys were finding it very hot, but had not been fazed by the wind, she said.
High temperatures are also forecast in other eastern centres, including Timaru, Blenheim, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
Other eastern centres are also heading for warm days today, with Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Blenheim and Timaru also all over 24 degrees.
MetService meteorologist Angus Hines said it has been a bumpy start to summer for much of the country.
"Many places have picked up a lot of rain in the first couple of weeks in December. Now we're starting to see those warmer summer temperatures kick in, especially for eastern parts of the country, including Christchurch."
Hines said while it was a little unusual the heat had lasted this long, hot and dry weather was not uncommon in Canterbury at this time of the year.
"It is a classic case of the warm, north-west wind which does quite often crank up the heat through the Christchurch and Canterbury area."
"The north-westerly wind comes from the Tasman Sea. By the time it arrives at the West Coast of the South Island, it's a pretty standard temperature then it goes up and over the mountains ... and by the time it descends on the eastern side of the Southern Alps, it really warms up, getting very hot and very dry," he said.
"This is that good, dry weather - if you get your washing on the line, it will dry in about 15 minutes."