Hottest day of the year expected as many head back to work

Monday, 8 January 2024

Walkers enjoying the fine weather as they take a hike near Sugar Loaf in the Port Hills on Sunday.

Christchurch is about to finally get a week of settled and warm weather - just as many people head back to work after the summer break.

MetService is predicting temperatures in the mid-20s all week, with Thursday expected to peak at 31C - the hottest day of the year so far.

Thermometers are also likely to soar to 29C on Saturday.

Beryl Tuff, left, and Clarrie Wilson make the most of Sunday’s warm weather by taking a walk on Harry Ell track in the Port Hills.

MetService meteorologist John Law said a large area of high pressure would bring settled weather this week, not only to Christchurch but to many other parts of the country as well.

There is the odd chance of a shower on Tuesday and Wednesday in Christchurch, but Law did not expect much rain to fall and said any rainfall would be an “isolated affair”.

Cantabrians stop for a picnic on the Port Hills overlooking Christchurch. The grass on the hills is staw-brown, sparking a wariness from fire authorities.

However, the chances of rain on the West Coast are much higher, with showers forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, turning heavy on Thursday before clearing on Friday.

It will not be cold, though, with temperatures expected to be in the early 20s.

Temperatures have so far peaked in Christchurch this summer at 31C on December 29, and the following day hit 29C.

Law said with the warm weather and little rain forecast for Canterbury, the fire risk would start to creep up.

Mountainbikers on the Choir Boy track at the Christchurch Adventure Park on Sunday.

“It’s worth keeping a close eye on that.”

A series of fires broke out in paddocks near Kirwee on Sunday triggered by sparks from a train that was shunting wagons from a Rolleston milk factory towards Darfield.

A mountainbiker makes the most of the good weather with a ride on the Bowenvale Traverse track.

Helicopters and 17 fire crews on the ground were needed to help bring the fire under control as it threatened properties.

Christchurch received 31mm of rain in December, down from the 42mm average. During the first week of 2024, the city has had 18mm of rain, just under half the average of 44mm for the whole of January.

The fire risk in Canterbury is still moderate to low, but Fire and Emergency New Zealand says that does not mean a vegetation fire could not take off.

Despite the rain, the Port Hills have turned a shade of summer brown, the dry grass increasing the likelihood of fire.

Lyn Crosson, from Fire and Emergency New Zealandsaid the fire risk was sitting at moderate to low, but that did not mean a vegetation fire could not take off.

People queue for something refreshing from Ice Cream Charlie in Christchurch’s Victoria Square as the Sunday summer sun heated up.

It only took a few days for the fire risk to change, she said, and if the conditions were hot and windy then a fire could easily get away.

“We’re always nervous around this time of year, January and February. The potential is there all the time.”

A permit was not yet needed to light a fire in Canterbury, but people still needed to take the weather conditions into account, Crosson said.

“If you have any doubt about the wind, the best advice is not to burn. Do not put yourself in that position.”

Crosson said it was still up to individuals to make sure there was no possibility that any fire they lit could get away on them.

If people think they see a fire they should call 111 straight away, Crosson said - emphasising that 10 to 15 minutes could make a lot of difference.