Timaru has topped 30 degrees this lunchtime and the winds have picked up as predicted in southern regions.

Strong nor’ westers over parts of Otago and Southland this morning are now moving into Canterbury pushing the temperatures up. Gore has recorded gales gusting near 90 kph.

The heat is now being felt in Ashburton on 28 degrees and Christchurch just has a gentle sea breeze with 25.

This afternoon much of the nation will continue to see the temperatures climb under settled overhead conditions.