MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino said Saturday might bring a shower to the city, but residents could expect "chilly but dry" weather at the end of the week.
As the top of the South Island was under orange heavy rain warnings yesterday, the Otago region experienced unseasonably warm starts to the day.
"Queenstown was 14°C at midnight and has only cooled since then, so they have their warmest temperature right on midnight," Ms Martino said.
"Back up to 12 now — that’s a little peculiar."
Alexandra reached its high of 15.9°C at 6am yesterday, 4°C warmer than average for a maximum temperature at this time of year.
And Dunedin too, at 13°C, was far warmer than recent nights.
The weather system coming from the north was pulling down warm, moist formerly subtropical air.
"Now, by the time it gets down to Otago, it’s not quite subtropical any more, but it’s still quite a lot warmer and moister than we’ve seen in quite a while down there."
Today’s forecast for Dunedin features cloudy periods with the odd shower.
Showers are due to become more frequent and heavier with thunderstorms and small hail possible from the afternoon. — APL
