{"id":227466,"date":"2026-01-11T00:22:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T00:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/227466\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T00:22:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T00:22:08","slug":"weather-record-heat-severe-winds-take-hold-across-nz-with-roads-blocked-and-fire-risk-rising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/227466\/","title":{"rendered":"Weather: Record heat, severe winds take hold across NZ with roads blocked and fire risk rising"},"content":{"rendered":"

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told the Herald temperatures remain on track to shatter current heat records, with northwesterly winds from Australia already pushing highs past 30C in several regions by midmorning.<\/p>\n

\u201cHawke\u2019s Bay and Tair\u0101whiti Gisborne are still looking to be some of the hotter places in the country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce those northwesterlies hit the coast, that\u2019s when we\u2019re expecting the temperatures to ramp up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u26a0\ufe0f The Severe Weather Warnings have been updated. Key differences from yesterday’s issue:
\ud83c\udf27\ufe0f\ud83d\udfe0 The Heavy Rain Watch for Buller has been upgraded to an orange Heavy Rain Warning
\ud83d\udca8\ud83d\udfe1 A Strong Wind Watch has been added for Hawke’s Bay
\ud83d\udd17 For details, visit: https:\/\/t.co\/qHyE5zzql5<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/yb0yoXcvq2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MetService NZ (@MetService) January 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Fifteen heat alerts are in place across Aotearoa today as the sizzling temperatures set in, with the national high currently nearing 34C in Hastings.<\/p>\n

So far, heat alerts have been issued for Kerikeri, Whang\u0101rei, Whitianga, Tauranga, Whakat\u0101ne, Rotorua, Taup\u014d, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Motueka, Blenheim, Kaik\u014dura, Christchurch and Timaru. <\/p>\n

Many heat alerts in the Bay of Plenty also extend through to tomorrow due to elevated temperatures overnight.<\/p>\n

Given this, Makgabutlane noted \u201cthe nighttime doesn\u2019t really bring much relief\u201d for Paihia, Whitianga, Tauranga and Whakat\u0101ne.<\/p>\n

A weather system simultaneously moving northwards over the South Island today is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the southern regions first, and will eventually drag temperatures back down countrywide by tomorrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce the front has moved through, it might feel quite different\u201d, Makgabutlane said.<\/p>\n

\"SpirallingSpiralling temperatures up to a sweltering 38C are forecast for today. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n

Most at risk of breaking high temperature records today are Whang\u0101rei, Whitianga and Napier; the latter\u2019s January record of 36.9C in 1979 being only 0.9C above today\u2019s forecast of 36C, MetService said.<\/p>\n

And while a record-breaker is not expected, Auckland is among those to see its forecast high rise to 29C. <\/p>\n

Forecast temperatures have been rising all week, with MetService saying some areas \u2013 including Northland, Coromandel and Hawke\u2019s Bay \u2013 could break January records today. <\/p>\n

Kerikeri already broke its January temperature record yesterday, exceeding the 32C mark, which smashed the previous record set in 1983.<\/p>\n

The scorching heat and strong winds this weekend have sparked concerns about both fires and a rise in water-related incidents after at least two people drowned in separate incidents<\/a> yesterday. <\/p>\n

MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said yesterday that heat alerts are issued a day out from hot weather, and are based on each centre\u2019s usual summer highs and\/or how many days of hot weather are forecast.<\/p>\n

Hottest day yet on the cards <\/p>\n

The hottest spell of the multi-day heat-streak is expected to hit today, with Hastings forecast to fry on 38C and neighbouring Napier not much lower at 36C.<\/p>\n

The heat, combined with severe northwesterlies forecast for the lower North Island and much of the South Island, has raised wildfire risks to extreme.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be dry in these northwesterlies, particularly in places like northern Wairarapa, Hawke\u2019s Bay, Gisborne. Those are the areas that we\u2019re focusing on for high risk of fires,\u201d Kerr said. <\/p>\n

He said people should be cautious when planning any barbecues in the next few days. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that\u2019s lit, sparks can fly and get driven quite a long way and start fires,\u201d Kerr said. <\/p>\n

People in areas under alert should check in on their most vulnerable, including babies and the elderly, and ensure pets are \u201cwell cared for\u201d with water and shade, MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeat alerts are more than just a typical hot summer\u2019s day … people can see some health effects from this sort of thing,\u201d Pawley said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Extreme caution\u2019<\/p>\n

Northland, Tair\u0101whiti, Hawke\u2019s Bay, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Canterbury, Mid-South Canterbury and Otago face \u201cspiking\u201d fire danger today, Fire and Emergency New Zealand deputy chief executive of prevention Nick Pyatt said yesterday. <\/p>\n

\u201cExtreme caution [is] needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Severe gales gusting up to 130km\/h are also expected across a large part of the South Island and the lower North Island, posing an extreme fire risk when combined with scorching temperatures. <\/p>\n

The MetService has issued a warning for severe gale northwesterlies gusting to 120km\/h from early this morning through the day for Marlborough, Wellington, Wairarapa and Tararua district. <\/p>\n

The high country and foothills of Canterbury are also under a warning for severe gale northwesterlies gusting 130km\/h until 5pm. <\/p>\n

Strong wind watches are also in place for eastern Canterbury and the lower South Island.<\/p>\n

\"ThereThere is an extreme risk of fire in northern and eastern parts of the country this weekend, Fire and Emergency NZ says.<\/p>\n

In contrast, an orange heavy rain warning has been issued for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur\u2019s Pass, and for Fiordland and parts of Westland, the MetService said on its website.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s an elevated risk of thunderstorms, especially in the west of the South Island.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can expect that there might be some damage to trees and power lines … [and] with winds picking up, wildfires can get out of hand quite quickly,\u201d Pawley said. <\/p>\n

Further north, there are heavy rain watches across the Grey and Buller districts in the upper South Island this afternoon and evening. <\/p>\n

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