MetService has issued severe weather warnings and watches for this weekend, alongside more heat alerts as temperatures climb.
The heat was expected to ramp up today, with heat alerts in place for Whakatāne, Napier, Hastings, Motueka, Blenheim and Kaikōura.
Tomorrow, alerts would also be in place for those locations as well as Paihia and Russell, Whangārei, Whitianga, Tauranga, Gisborne, Masterton and Christchurch.
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"Thankfully we aren’t receiving the full brunt of the Australian heat – which saw some cities reach 40C to 45C – but these are still high temperatures for New Zealand and planning accordingly is crucial," MetService meteorologist Clare O'Connor said previously.
Heat alerts are triggered when the temperature reaches a certain threshold picked by meteorologists for 46 locations using two decades worth of data.
"By Sunday, some areas could see potential record highs for January, including parts of Northland which could see 31C, and Hawke's Bay which may see 36C to 38C," the forecaster said.
In an update at 9.30am, MetService said a front would also bring heavy rain to the southwest of the South Island on Saturday, followed by an active frontal system bringing heavy rain and severe northwest gales to central and southern New Zealand from Saturday night through to early Monday morning.
An orange heavy rain warning was issued for the ranges of the Westland District about and north of Haast, while a strong wind warning was in place for Canterbury, about the high country and near the foothills.
There were a number of heavy rain and strong wind watches for other parts of the South Island, and lower North Island, with 250 to 300mm possible, mainly in the ranges.
Residents were being urged to prepare as more heat alerts would likely follow for the weekend, with Hastings tipped to hit a sizzling 37C this weekend, and neighbouring Napier expected to top a high of 35C.
Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said "this can be really dangerous heat".
Temperatures dial up over 30C, prompting warnings about vulnerable people and pets. (Source: 1News)
"I don't think many people are used to it, so the big message we are trying to get out to people is make sure on those really hot days you are drinking plenty of water, taking breaks in the shade and avoiding the hottest part of the day if you can."
She said the community needed to look out for each other, particularly older people, infants and toddlers who were the most susceptible to heat.
Full watches and warnings list
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
The ranges of the Westland District about and north of Haast - 23 hours from 11pm Saturday.
Westland and Fiordland between Haast and Doubtful Sound - 30 hours from 3am Saturday.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Canterbury about the High Country and near the foothills - 21 hours from 10pm Saturday.
Heavy Rain Watch
The ranges of the Grey and Buller districts south of Karamea, also Nelson Lakes - 11 hours from midday today.
Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass - 17 hours from 5am today.
Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers - seven hours from 2am today to 9am Sunday.
Fiordland about and south of Doubtful Sound - 24 hours from 5am Saturday to 5am Sunday.
Strong Wind Watch
Wellington and Wairarapa including the Tararua District - 26 hours from 2am Sunday to 4am Monday.
Marlborough, especially about the Sounds and Kaikoura Coast - 21 hours from 1am to 10pm Sunday.
Canterbury east of the foothills - 9 hours from 5am to 2pm Sunday.
Otago - 13 hours fom 1am to 2pm Sunday.
Fiordland - nine hours from 11pm Saturday to 8am Sunday.
Southland and Stewart Island - 15 hours from midnight Saturday to 3pm Sunday.
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