Temperatures reached record highs in some parts of the South Island on Sunday, with Kaikōura the hottest spot in the country at 24.5C. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) reported near-record temperatures in towns dotting the east coast of the South Island. Riccarton, in Christchurch, equalled its second-highest winter temperature with 23.6C, Lincoln had its fourth-highest at 22.3C, while Waimate had its hottest winter day since records began in 1908, reaching 23.4C. The western coast of the country was slightly more chilly – with most places in the west of the North and South Island settling around 15C, Coutts said. Coutts warned the warm weather would not last – another westerly front, alongside a cold southerly change, would arrive in the lower South Island on Monday night and would move up the South Island on Tuesday.

Source: Stuff August 30, 2020 06:22 UTC