Many NZers to sleep easier as temperatures drop

A swimmer at Mission Bay. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Many New Zealanders will sleep easier tonight, with temperatures set to drop in the South Island and lower parts of the North Island.

The humidity that has been frustrating people all over the country will tonight be flushed away by a southerly cold front.

However, Metservice's Bob McDavitt says the temperature may remain as it is for the next few days in areas north of Taupo.

McDavitt says the humidity is typical for this time of the year - the first half of February is usually when New Zealand sees its highest temperatures.

On Sunday Timaru suffered its hottest day since the 1970s, with temperature gauges hitting 40.3C.

Other cities in the South Island have also seen sweltering hot temperatures, with Christchurch, Oamuru and Ashburton all recording 36C on Sunday.

McDavitt says the heat is also due to the high pressure zone sitting on the Tasman Sea, forcing hot air toward New Zealand.

This has been caused by Australia's recent cyclones, Anthony and Yasi.

He said the situation was similar to the Christchurch heat wave of 1973, which was blown over by a north westerly from Australia and caused New Zealand's highest recorded temperature of 42.4C in Marlborough and Rangiora.