MetService meteorologist Sarah Sparks said Dunedin's temperature peaked at 21degC yesterday afternoon. Middlemarch recorded 22degC and Oamaru 23degC.
Only a little rain was predicted for Dunedin today but later in the week a rapidly deepening low approaching from the west would result in worsening weather, Ms Sparks said.
Heavy rain and high winds predicted for the Central Otago ranges tomorrow and Thursday, including near Queenstown and Wanaka, could cause widespread flooding, slips and damage to roads.
Rivers and streams in Central Otago would rise rapidly and this would particularly impact on anyone in the mountains, river users, tourists and motorists.
High northwest winds, and possibly gales, were predicted to hit Central Otago late tomorrow afternoon, intensifying tomorrow night, and temperatures would drop to a low of 4degC tomorrow and Thursday.
Rain would increase in Dunedin tomorrow and high winds, including possibly severe gales, would strike on Thursday, with forecast lows of 9degC and 8degC for the two days, respectively.
Conditions would start to improve on Friday, Ms Sparks said.
