You might want to call your boss to ask if it will be OK to wear shorts to work next week.
The southern region is about to bask under a long spell of warm, sunny weather.
The MetService has forecast sunny days in Dunedin, Oamaru and the Queenstown Lakes District with temperatures in the low 20s, from tomorrow right through until Friday.
For Alexandra, the temperatures will be in the mid-20s over the same period.
Predicted highs around the region include Dunedin 23degC on Monday; Wanaka 24degC on Tuesday and Wednesday; Queenstown 22degC on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; and Oamaru 22degC on Monday and Tuesday.
Alexandra will be warmest in the region with 26degC expected on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said the unusually long spell of warm weather would be caused by a high pressure system passing over the South Island today and sitting off the east coast until the end of next week.
``It's what we call a `blocking high'. It simply means it sits there for a while.
``We haven't had many of those this year. They do tend to happen every now and then - more so during summer.''
She said the warm temperatures were caused by northerly winds coming across the Southern Alps.
``It will keep the cloud on the west coast and create fine weather on the east.
``When the wind comes across the ranges, it dries out and warms up. So once it reaches you guys, you get those warmer temperatures.
Niwa forecaster Seth Carrier said maximum temperatures may be more than 10 degrees above average for up to six consecutive days across inland Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.
``These are the same regions that saw temperatures reach into the upper 20s (along with 30.1degC at Otematata) last week.
``It has already been a very dry month across the lower South Island, with many locations recording well below normal rainfall.
``In fact, Queenstown recently ended a 30-day dry spell, its longest since February-March 2013,'' Mr Carrier said.
