Easter time: Timaru is hotter than Rarotonga, hurricane wind warning for drivers

Easter weekend vacationers on the South Island and eastern North Island have taken the jackpot with jaw-dropping tropical temperatures, but are accompanied by strong wind warnings and alerts.

Timaru reached a record 30.6 ° C today. It is the highest April temperature since records began in the city in 1962, according to Metservice. It’s hotter than 29 degrees on Rarotonga and it could get hotter at the end of the day.

“It’s also quite hot on the Banks Peninsula, around 28.4 degrees, 27.8 degrees in Dunedin City and even Omaru was 26.9,” said Metservice meteorologist Andy Best.

Some parts of the North Island have also enjoyed a warm climate.

“The town of Napier is at 26.5 and Hastings at 25.1, so it’s definitely a nice warm day in the eastern locations, but the downside is the very strong northwest wind gusts,” Best said .

There is a strong wind warning for Southland, North Otago, Dunedin and the Canterbury Highlands.

Strong gales blow up to 130 km / h in exposed locations in the Canterbury Highlands.

The gusts are hampering teams fighting the Southland and Fairlie fires, but are set to subside for a time tonight.

The finery is expected to reach 120km / h at exposed locations in Wairarapa, north of Masterton.

Strong wind gusts could damage trees, power lines and unsafe structures, Metservice said.

“Especially if you’re driving, especially motorcycles and high-sided vehicles, heed the weather warnings,” Best said.

“Many people are returning [home] today. Certainly don’t drive at full speed because those winds will have an added effect. “

There are currently strong gusts at the top of Rimutaka Hill between Wairarapa and Wellington, prompting the New Zealand Transport Agency to issue a warning to drivers.

There is a strong wind watch for Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Central Otago.

The winds should slowly abate tomorrow.

Easter monday

The eastern parts of the South Island look forward to another hot day on Monday.

“We expect places like Kaikoura to go up around 26 degrees, Christchurch around 28 degrees, also east of North Island places like Gisborne, Napier and Hastings, 26 degrees,” Best said.

It will be a relatively warm night for people between Auckland and Levin, where temperatures are expected to reach 5 ° C above average from Monday night to Tuesday morning.