Otago town of Middlemarch records country's top temperature of 37.4C as heatwave rolls on

January 30, 2018

The South Island has been sweltering in one of its hottest January days on record, while the temperature didn't manage to crack the 40C mark, the Central Otago town of Middlemarch came close according to NIWA, reaching 37.4C.

Re-live the action from around the country below, as 1 NEWS NOW provided live updates on the summer heatwave. 

4:50pm:  Unofficial temperature reading from Clyde in Central Otago around 4pm this afternoon.

4:30pm:  We have a new leader!

4:20pm:  Not a bad way to beat the heat. Thanks to Joy Bennett for this pic from the Clutha River today.

4:10pm:  Enjoy the fine weather while you can according to TVNZ weather presenter Dan Corbett as "it's all about to change". His latest update in video below.

4:00pm:  "37 in the shade in Cromwell. Hottest part of the day yet to come," Alice Callander posted on the 1 NEWS Facebook page.

Hang in there Alice! 

3:55pm: Meanwhile in Wellington Metlink says: "Due to an overhead power fault, all train services on the Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Melling Lines are currently suspended departing Wellington until further notice. A team is currently on site investigating the issue."

Rest homes and schools are among the places taking special measures to combat the heat.

Also high temperatures in Wairarapa means there is a 40km/h speed restriction for trains in the area which could also lead to delays.

3:48pm:  Countdown has released some key insight stats from sales over the Kiwi summer so far.

Not surprisingly bottled water has come out on top, with more than seven million litres being sold so far as people look to quench their thirst.

Fans and ice are other big sellers, with more than 640 tonnes of the latter being sold.

Another interesting stat is the sale of more than 108 tonnes of coleslaw, obviously a staple at many Kiwi BBQ's this summer.

3:40pm: Temperatures are still capable of rising even further over the next few hours so there could be a few more records tumbling yet.

Also meaning it could be the perfect day for an after work dip to cool off!

3:30pm:  A reminder from the MetService that despite today's blue skies, some severe weather of the damper kind is on the way later this week.

3:20pm:  It is heating up out there, with NIWA now reporting that Cheviot in North Canterbury has just reached 37C, the first spot in the country to hit the predicted peak today.

That 40C mark is inching ever closer...

3:15pm:  As of 3pm NIWA reports that Clyde in Central Otago has hit 36.7C, its warmest temperature ever on record.

2:55pm:  Things are heating up at the Unichem Pharmacy in Alexandra. Thanks to Taryn Gray for sending in this pic taken at 2:30pm today.

2:48pm:  According to the MetService Alexandra has just reached the 35C mark, while further north Auckland is a whisker away from reaching its predicted high of 27C, currently sitting at a balmy 26.2C.

Time to grab an ice cream perhaps?

2:40pm:  Central Otago farmer Stu Duncan has told 1 NEWS that it has been "incredibly hot" in the region recently with some local residents telling him of recording 45C temperatures in their cars.

Stu Duncan says some locals have been reporting temperatures of up to 45C in their cars.

He says he can't remember a time when the weather has stayed this hot, for this long, in January.

2:23pm:  The latest temperature updates from NIWA, which shows a battle for the top spot.

2:15pm:  Associate Minister for Health Julie Anne Genter has today acknowledged global warming is responsible for hotter summers, and a series of health initiatives are in the works to keep Kiwis out of harm.

More here:  Ministry of Health says they're planning for 'big challenges' of hotter and hotter NZ summers.

2:08pm:  The temperature in Alexandra continues to creep up according to the MetService, with it currently sitting at 34.9C.

If the last few days are any indication it will certainly continue to rise before the day is done. An official 40C day incoming perhaps?

1:56pm: Some interesting statistics from NIWA.

1:50pm:  Amazingly the current recorded low is also in the South Island, with some suburbs in Christchurch's eastern areas only sitting at 18C according to the MetService.

1:42pm:  Staff at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa say they have measured temperatures of 41C in the hot pools, in a non scientific survey.

Lifeguard Roz Poleglas says: "It's unbearable and making everyone feel very sweaty".

Most people are sensibly finding relief in the cold pools, but 1 NEWS spoke to a group who had opted for the 42C pool.

They said: "We're starting to feel a bit weird so we won’t be in here for long!"

1:35pm:  The temperature readings are flooding in to the 1 NEWS inbox from Canterbury residents, with this pic showing a reading of nearly 38C coming in from Theresa Larsen on a farm at Waiau, Canterbury.

1:28pm:  1 NEWS reporter John McKenzie says it definitely "feels hotter" than the official temperature of 32C in the Central Otago town of Wedderburn, where some locals have told him they have recorded unofficial temperatures of up to 40C!

1:20pm:  Alexandra is edging closer to its predicted high of 37C currently sitting at 33.7C according to the MetService.

1:15pm:  Lucky swimmers at Northland's Puwheke Beach have been treated to sharing the waves with a group of playful dolphins for the second time in a few days on Sunday. The marine mammals clearly enjoying the heatwave.

1.10pm: Today's projected highs for the major towns and cities...

1pm: February 7, 1973 is New Zealand's hottest on record, when Rangiora topped 42.4C. In all, eight of New Zealand's top 10 recorded temperatures were achieved that day, mostly in or around Canterbury.

The North Canterbury region is again being hit with soaring heat today, with a 25% chance of exceeding 40 degrees.

Elsewhere Alexandra is also forecast to hit 36 degrees Celsius.

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