A burst of spring heat this weekend and week has come to us care of warm currents from Australia - which are forecast to continue.
Lambs enjoying a burst of spring sunshine. Photo: 123RF
Temperatures have been reaching the mid-to-high twenties in many areas of New Zealand through the week, with some places pushing into the early thirties, MetService meterologist Andy Best says.
Warm temperatures in Australia are pushing across the Tasman Sea, bringing hot air that is giving us an early taste of summer
These highs are unseasonably warm for this time of year, and the heat is expected to continue into the week ahead, he says.
Today's highest temperatures are expected in the South Island, except Westport, which misses out. Then the heat boost is forecast to travel up the country through Sunday and into Monday.
Althought the top temperatures expected during the coming week are not likely to be as unusually high as the last few days, Mr Best says "it'll still be warmer next week than average".