It might be a bit rainy in some places, but temperatures for the rest of this week are forecast to hit 20°C or more for much of the region, starting tomorrow.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the warmest spot would be Mosgiel, which was expected to reach 24°C on Saturday.
"Throughout this week we’re going to be seeing these weather systems coming from the west periodically, and northwesterly winds will be associated with them.
"So it is very much looking like that foehn wind effect will be playing a big part in those warmer temperatures — especially for the eastern Otago area."
Ms Makgabutlane said once the mercury started reaching the 20s, it would be at least 4°C-5°C warmer than average for this time of year.
"That’s both noticeably warm, but also unseasonably warm as well.
"You’re going to get a wee taste of summer, especially after the cooler weather you’ve been having over the last couple of weeks."
For more western parts of Otago and Southland, temperatures would not be quite as warm, she said.
"But I can say it probably won’t be as chilly as it’s been recently, so it might be a bit of a break in that way," Ms Makgabutlane said.
She said night-time temperatures would also be much warmer than usual, particularly in Southland.
"Southland’s usual is maybe on the lower end compared to other places, so Friday morning in Southland will be about 10°C, which doesn’t sound too warm compared to other places but for that part of the country that is quite warm."
She said Otago and Southland were not the only places that would experience a bump in temperatures this week.
"So, in the South Island it’ll be along eastern Otago, and then up in Kaikoura, Christchurch, Ashburton — they’ll be seeing about 23°C on Friday, and possibly even warmer on Saturday."
