Although sunshine was sparse today, temperatures were generally milder than the August average with temperatures nearing 20 degrees in inland Canterbury with Culverden taking the national high today of 19 degrees.Lyttleton was pleasant with 18 degrees which is about 7 degrees above average for mid August.

Tomorrow further cloud and showers or rain is expected over much of the country but some drier spells are possible with temperatures remaining near normal or a little above.