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Subtropical air will keep temperatures warm in New Zealand through the working weekend, and Canterbury will hit 28 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Sweltering heat accompanied by strong winds and extremely dry ground conditions has prompted firefighters to urge the public to refrain from lighting fires in the region.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said a high-pressure system from the west was bringing humid air mass to most of the country, but particularly to the eastern areas.
Christchurch was forecast to peak at 23 ° C on Saturday and 28 ° C on Sunday, which was expected to make it the warmest center in the country.
Iain McGregor / Stuff
Christchurch is forecast to hit 28 ° C on Sunday. (file photo)
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Makgabutlane said hot, strong and often very dry foehn winds, downdrafts, would affect much of Canterbury and could be quite strong in exposed parts of Canterbury High Country and on the Banks Peninsula on Sunday.
Most of the Canterbury coastline was classified as a hotspot as it was experiencing significant soil moisture deficits, according to NIWA data.
The driest soils on the South Island compared to the average for this time of year were on the Banks Peninsula and the south coast of Canterbury.
The city of Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula were experiencing more than -50 millimeters of soil moisture deficit; parts of North Canterbury were experiencing between -30mm and -20mm; and parts of South Canterbury were between -50 and -30mm.
Stacy Squires / Stuff
The driest soils on the South Island compared to the average for this time of year were on the Banks Peninsula and the south coast of Canterbury.
During the same period last year, the city of Christchurch experienced a deficit of approximately -30mm, the Banks Peninsula -10mm, and most of North Canterbury, mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury were between -70mm and – 10 mm.
Fire Risk Management Officer Wayne Hamilton said those in parts of Canterbury over the weekend should refrain from lighting fires as the region was already experiencing summer-like conditions with dry vegetation.
“This poses a significant fire risk for Canterbury. We are requesting that no one light any fires during the weekend … [and] people should also be aware of any activity that could cause an ignition. ”
He said residents should check their properties for any fire hazards and ensure that past burned areas are completely extinguished.
Joe Johnson / Stuff
Fire Risk Management Officer Wayne Hamilton says that people in Canterbury should refrain from lighting fires this weekend as the region is already experiencing summer-like conditions with dry vegetation.
People who were visiting recreational areas across the region should consider the risks and make sure they have a fire escape plan in place, Hamilton said.
“If anyone sees smoke or fire, they should call 111 immediately.”
A cold front would follow the foehn winds and cause a “sharp drop” in temperatures on Monday and bring some much-needed rains to the region.
In Christchurch, the temperature was forecast to drop to 17 ° C with periods of rain on Monday, while Ashburton and Timaru will plummet from 27 ° C on Sunday to 13 ° C on Monday.
Further south, Dunedin is expected to hit 25 ° C on Sunday and dip to 11 ° C on Monday, with early rains and then showers.
More information can be found on the Fire and Emergency New Zealand website.
