Record temperatures in Dunedin, New Zealand

Dunedin sizzles in record heat

Dunedin has not seen a December day this hot since records began over 50 years ago, soaring to a high of 34.6degC this afternoon.

Otago Daily Times

21 December, 2015

That beats the previous record set on December 8th, 1990, when the airport recorded a high of 32.2degC.

Around 2.30pm it was the hottest temperature in the country.

The Dunedin City Council has warned that the high temperatures coupled with strong northwesterly winds will push the fire danger to extreme in the region.

All fire permits have been revoked across Otago, and anyone having recently lit a fire is asked by the Otago Rural Fire Authority to check that it is fully extinguished.

 

MetService‏@MetService

On 8 Dec 1990, #Dunedin Airport set a record temp for December of 32.2C. It has reached 32.7C there this hour.^CF

• RETWEETS16
• LIKES5
• 

12:59 PM - 21 Dec 2015

Dunedin was the hottest place in the country for much of the morning as a heatwave began its spread across the eastern coastline of New Zealand.

At lunchtime Ashburton was basking in a hot 32.3C, and other centres feeling the heat were Timaru on 30.7C and Oamaru on 30.6C.

Alexandra was on 29.3C and Nelson and Christchurch were sitting just over 28C at midday.

Metservice said the southernmost centres were the first to get the northwest winds.

Forecasters were still predicting Blenheim to reach a whopping 35C when the wind was expected to change to a northwesterly direction this afternoon.

Timaru and Christchurch are expected to reach 33C.

The sizzling weather will also sweep through the eastern parts of the North Island with Napier reaching 30C, Gisborne 28C and Masterton 29C.

Warm air from Australia sweeping through the east across New Zealand and is bringing the high temperatures, MetService meteorologist Tom Adams said.

"On Monday strong northwesterlies develop ahead of an approaching front, adding a Foehn heating effect to areas east of the Southern Alps," he said.

Foehn wind is a hot and dry wind that blows from the mountains downwards, creating the hot weather. However, the heat will be short-lived, meteorologist Karl Loots said.

"Unfortunately [on Monday] night a cold front will approach the country."

It will spread on Tuesday and temperatures will drop. Rain is expected to spread from the West Coast, bringing showers to the North Island on Wednesday.

Although Auckland and Wellington will miss out on tomorrow's sizzler, both cities will remain mild with temperatures reaching 22C and 21C respectively.

Auckland will continue to be settled on Tuesday with cloudy periods.

"There will be late showers with westerlies changing to southerlies."

Wednesday is expected to be fine with a few showers in the afternoon.

Wellington weather will be cloudy with strong or gale northwesterlies with a chance of showers on Tuesday.

Christchurch has periods of morning rain followed by a few showers on Tuesday.