Although much of the country has experienced a lot of cold in recent weeks, spare a thought from those suffering extreme heat further afield.

Phoenix, Arizona is renowned for its year round sunshine and hot summer temperatures.
This weekend the mercury should peak at 46 degrees with overnight lows remaining in the 30s.

Kuwait city is not to be outdone either, with todays high of 48 degrees nearing an all-time record and an overnight low is expected tonight of a stifling 35.

Again heatwaves are a common occurrence in these 2 cities but that doesn’t make it any more comfortable for locals or tourists.

The average daytime high during July for both of these locations is in the low 40s, with overnight lows normally around 31 or 32 degrees.

Kiwis can sometimes complain about the cold during the winter months but it is nowhere near to the same degree as it is about the heat by residents  in these 2 distant urban sprawls.

Weather Analyst Richard Green