Early holiday-makers in Otago can expect a scorching start to next week with temperatures reaching 27degC for much of the region.
MetService forecaster Emma Blades said temperatures would start rising this weekend, and by Monday they were likely to reach 27degC in Oamaru, Wanaka and Queenstown, and 26degC in Alexandra.
Dunedin was expected to reach 22degC.
As the week progressed, temperatures would drop back to the teens again, occasionally reaching the low 20s, Ms Blades said.
MetService is forecasting similar high temperatures in Canterbury, with the Christchurch high tipped to reach 33degC on Monday.
Christmas day will be cracker day for most of the country.
The weather was looking dry, Weather Watch meteorologist Philip Duncan said.
However, he forecast some rain for parts of the South Island in the days leading up to Christmas.
Boxing Day would be a warmer day across the country, but from the 27th, there would be spring-like weather patterns, which meant there would be rain for some regions.
New Year's Eve was looking about 70% dry across the country which meant some partygoers could see in the new year in the rain. - additional reporting The New Zealand Herald/NZME.
