It was a cooler than average Christmas, but Marlborough is expected to start 2020 with the country's temperature high - with 34 degrees Celsius forecast for New Year's Day. On average, the South Island was forecast for higher temperatures compared to the North, Best said. STUFF A look back on the major weather events for Christchurch and the wider South Island in 2019. He said temperatures were also expected to be hot on Thursday, with temperatures forecast to hit 30C in Blenheim. On Thursday Blenheim and Masterton are forecast to reach 31C, but showers are expected to spread to much of the South Island apart from in the north.

Source: Stuff December 30, 2019 22:01 UTC