Retailers in Invercargill are running short of fans and swimming pools after being hit by record setting temperatures.
Retailers in Invercargill are running short of fans and swimming pools after being hit by record setting temperatures. Photo: creative commons - pixabay - markusspiske
MetService said the official temperature at Invercargill's airport reached 32.3° about 5.30pm yesterday.
It was only the sixth time since 1993 the temperature in the city has exceeded 30°.
A humid northeast flow will continue to bring a couple more warm days and nights across the country, and MetService meteorologist Hannah Mose said it was set to stay hot.
"Especially inland in the southern South Island, but yes, warm in southern areas across the country."
The lower North Island is also experiencing sizzling temperatures with Lower Hutt reaching 30°, for a second day in a row.
The thermometer peaked at 30.7° yesterday and has already hit 30.5 today.
The hottest temperature for the area, which began testing in 1985 is 31.1 degrees.
The record run has seen residents taking to the beach and in search of pools and fans to cool off.
Mitre 10 Mega Invercargill's general manager, Tracy Key, said stocks are low and may soon run out.
"We've only got three models left and very, very limited stock," she said.
"I would say with another scorcher here in Invercargill today, we'll completely sell out."
She said the store has fielded plenty of phone calls about swimming pools as well, but there are none left for sale in the city as residents do what they can to keep cool.
Even shops in the normally cooler capital and on the Kapiti Coast have run out of fans.
"I have lived in Invercargill for nearly 20 years and I have never ever seen it so hot," Ms Key said.
However, a low approaching from the Tasman Sea may help as it is set to spread rain and strong northerly winds over most of New Zealand from the middle of this week.
MetService has posted a severe weather watch with heavy rain expected to hit Westland south of Ōtira from the early hours on Wednesday until about 11pm, before moving north bringing heavy rain to Nelson from about midday Wednesday to 6am Thursday.
MetService Meteorologist Stephen Glassey said the low could bring heavy rain.
"This system is dragging in some very humid air from the tropics which brings significant potential for heavy rain, especially over the northern half of the North Island and the north and west of the South Island."
Mr Glassey said strong winds are also expected to impact some areas, especially around the top of the North Island late Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ms Mose could not say whether the rain would be enough to break drought conditions faced by Nelson growers.
"That's more up to the councils, but there will be some rain and every little bit counts".
Main centre forecasts today
Auckland
Partly cloudy, with isolated showers. Northeasterlies picking up this afternoon. Will reach a high of 26C.
Hamilton
Mostly sunny with a chance of showers this afternoon. Will reach a high of 26C.
Tauranga
Morning cloud breaking to sunny spells. A few showers, turning to drizzle in the evening. Will reach a high of 24C.
Wellington
Mostly sunny, a chance of showers this afternoon. Light winds and a high of 25C.
Christchurch
Fine apart from areas of low cloud or fog morning and night. Will reach a high of 25C.
Dunedin
Warm and fine but some high cloud and notherlies. Will reach a high of 28C.
Invercargill
Warm and fine but some high cloud and northerlies. Will reach a high of 32C.
- MetService