Relief is on the way after yesterday's record-breaking heat with cooler air moving up the country.
Much of the eastern South Island got to temperatures close to or above 30C on Thursday, while two towns south of Christchurch - Leeston and Southbridge - reached 34.4C.
But many of the areas that experienced the hottest weather on Thursday will see a 10-15C drop in temperatures on Friday.
MetService said cooler air is moving in from the south over the next couple days, but warmer air should return for the beginning of 2023.
"Ashburton made it to 32°C yesterday, they'll be sitting in the mid-teens this afternoon," MetService tweeted.
Wellington can expect unstable weather on Friday, with a southerly incoming.
"Wave goodbye to the blue skies, expect a drop in temperature and perhaps a bit of rain," MetService warned the Capital.
Weather where you are:
Northland, Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty
Mostly fine. Isolated showers this afternoon and evening.
Auckland, and Waitomo to Kapiti Coast, including the central high country
Fine, apart from areas of morning cloud.
Gisborne to Wairarapa, and also Wellington
Fine at first, then showers spreading north from midday, clearing Wellington and Wairarapa in the evening.
Marlborough, Nelson and Buller
Fine. A few showers developing in the afternoon, mainly inland.
Westland
Rain, clearing this afternoon or evening.
Canterbury
Showers developing this morning, then becoming few and far between in the afternoon.
Otago and Southland
A few showers, but rain about North Otago at first. Showers clearing this afternoon.
Fiordland
Fine.
Chatham Islands
A fine morning, then showers developing this afternoon.
Extended Forecast
Saturday
A few showers about Buller and the east of the North Island. Isolated showers for Westland, Auckland and Northland. Partly cloudy or fine elsewhere.
Sunday
A few showers for the west and southeast of the South Island, also the east of the North Island. Isolated showers developing for Coromandel Peninsula and Northland, otherwise partly cloudy or fine elsewhere.
Monday
A few showers in the north and east of the North Island, also afternoon showers inland for the west and south of the South Island. Mainly fine elsewhere.
Chatham Islands
Cloudy periods and the odd shower for the weekend and Monday. Southerlies turning easterly on Monday.
Find more weather information on Newshub's weather page.
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