The east coast of Otago sweltered yesterday and Dunedin Airport experienced one of its hottest May days on record, MetService says.
Forecaster Tom Adams said the mercury reached 24.7degC at Dunedin Airport at 1pm, the third-highest temperature recorded by MetService since 1962.
The hottest day recorded for a May day at Dunedin Airport was 25.2degC, in 1999.
In central Dunedin, it reached 25.4degC at 1pm.
However, reliable comparisons with past temperatures were not available for central Dunedin, he said.
Oamaru Airport reached 22.4degC at 1pm, making it the fifth-equal-hottest day in May since records began in 1999.
The hottest day recorded at Oamaru Airport on a day in May was 26.1degC, in 2002.
In central Oamaru yesterday, it reached a 25.5degC high at 2pm.
Again, reliable comparisons for the area could not be made with past data, he said.
The east of Otago was "better off'' yesterday than the west, which experienced light rain and cooler temperatures. It was 18degC in Wanaka, 15.1degC in Queenstown and 15degC. in Lindis Pass.
Cloud and rain were forecast across Otago today.
Strong northwesterly gales, up to 100kmh in exposed places, were forecast to hit Dunedin and Central Otago this afternoon, he said.
