New Zealand will get a window of respite from scorching heat over the next few days, but forecasters say it'll be short-lived.
After near-record temperatures in several locations across the country earlier this week - particularly for parts of the central North Island - cooler conditions arrived on Thursday and are expected to linger until about Sunday.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says Wednesday marked the fifth consecutive day of maximums above 30C, for only the third time in recorded history.
But as a weak cold front makes landfall down south, its southerlies bringing cooler air, there's an almost 20C temperature difference in some places today compared with Monday.
"The eastern South Island gets the full force of that cool change with maximum temperatures in the mid-teens expected today compared to the mid-20s of earlier in the week," says Makgabutlane.
Weather Watch says several areas will notice a decent temperature drop.
"Dunedin has a high of 12C in some suburbs and Christchurch only 15C with again more cloud and drizzly areas possible. Wellington is also much cooler than previous days with a high of 18C today and 17C tomorrow (Friday)."
Hawke's Bay and Gisborne have highs in the low-20s over the next few days, but Weather Watch says these areas will bounce back closer to 30C by Sunday.
Temperatures rebound into the weekend as another ridge of high pressure builds over the country, MetService says.
In northern parts of New Zealand like the Coromandel, Auckland and the Bay of Islands, the impacts of the cooler change over the coming days are more muted.
"Daytime highs will drop a few to several degrees on Friday compared to earlier this week, but mid-20Cs again by Sunday," says Weather Watch.
Some showers are anticipated in Auckland and Northland overnight, and parts of the central North Island are at risk of thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon and evening.
The Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and eastern Waikato are also under a severe thunderstorm watch, with downpours and hail possible.
"Some of these thunderstorms could lead to surface flooding and hazardous driving conditions in areas popular with holidaymakers, so people should take care not to get caught out," Makgabutlane said.
