22 Dec 2015

Cool change on the way for south

9:22 am on 22 December 2015

Cooler southerlies will bring relief today for parts of the South Island hit by scorching weather.

Cantabrians cooling off yesterday in the pool at the botanical gardens.

Cantabrians cooling off yesterday in the pool at the botanical gardens. Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy

The temperature reached more than 36°C in Christchurch and almost 33°C in Dunedin yesterday, records for December.

Weather commentator Richard Green told Morning Report it was all part of the El Nino pattern.

He said there might be more record-breaking days ahead, particularly in the second half of summer and in eastern parts of the country.