St Kilda Beach is covered with people as temperatures soared in Dunedin on Saturday.
Mr Shiviti said the warm temperatures were caused by westerly winds coming down from high ground and losing their moisture as they got lower.
It is hard to beat Dunedin on a good day and it was one of those on Saturday when the heat arrived, leading to many heading to city beaches. A big crowd was at St Kilda Beach and other beaches also reported good numbers.
MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti said the temperature in Dunedin city had got up to 25.8°C on Saturday. It followed 23°C on Friday as the heat descended on Dunedin and the east of the South Island.
Christchurch reached 27°C on Saturday.
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
By the time they got to lower areas, winds were warm and ramped up the temperatures.
But it was not likely to last as showers came in last night and more showers were likely today.
It was just typical spring weather, Mr Shiviti said, and was likely to continue for a good while yet.
