Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Summer has come early for parts of the country as temperatures reach nearly 30 degrees Celsius in Canterbury.
According to MetService, Christchurch (Port Hills) topped the charts for Thursday, hitting 28.2C.
Blenheim and Gisborne have also reached 27 degrees, while Kaikōura and Timaru weren't far behind at 25C.
New Zealand's north has also enjoyed warm temperatures, with Northland, Auckland and Waikato only a couple degrees colder.
MetService is forecasting warmer temperatures to continue for the next few days, but thunderstorms were expected to threaten North Island this weekend.
Mōrena, Aotearoa
— MetService (@MetService) November 5, 2025
Temperatures are set to get summery today in parts of the motu, with Christchurch expected to reach 28°C (just over 8°C more than their average November max). Blenheim and Kaikōura won't be far behind with 27°C and 26°C respectively. pic.twitter.com/LZEKWRg9GM
"Warmer temperatures increase the chance of afternoon showers triggered by daytime heat through a process called convection," MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker said.
"In the same way turning the heat up on a saucepan of water starts it bubbling, heating the air close to the surface makes it rise. If there's moisture in the atmosphere, convection can trigger showers, even thunderstorms if there's enough warming at the surface."
As temperatures ramp up and stay high over the weekend, parts of the North Island were likely to see thunderstorms, especially on Sunday, Bakker said.
Bakker said it was unlikely the Black Caps' second T20 against West Indies at Eden Park will be impacted by rain tonight.
However, rain and strong winds were possible for the start of next week as a front was expected to move up the South Island and onto the lower North Island on Monday.
While it's too early to talk about watches and warnings, there was a possibility that some may be issued for the Westland ranges and northern Fiordland, Bakker said.
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