Golden weather likely to last until Thursday

The country is entering spring on a high with an unusually warm August behind us and the sunshine expected to last the weekend.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said the fine weather was likely to remain over most of the country until next week, but by Thursday showers were likely around Auckland and the northeast of the North Island.

"It's pretty dry. The high is keeping the whole country pretty dry and the fronts that are coming through are not bringing much rain."

Niwa's national climate survey for last month shows the country has had below average rainfall and the fourth-warmest August since records began in the 1860s. The survey showed rainfall was less than half of the normal levels for August around Wairarapa and Otago.

The month was also much warmer, with temperatures 1.1C above normal.

Places like Hanmer Forest and Amberley, North Canterbury, recorded temperatures more usually seen in summer, with Hanmer reaching 25.1C on Tuesday and Amberley recording 25.4C on Wednesday.

Of the four main centres, Dunedin was the driest for August while Auckland was the warmest.

But the warmer weather coupled with the dry spell has led to fires caused by escaped burnoffs inthe South Island, leading to firebans.

National Rural Fire Officer Murray Dudfield has put a total fire ban across North and Central Otago and Canterbury for the next 24 hours.

One fire near Oxford in Canterbury destroyed 50ha of farmland on Wednesday night.

A fire ban now exists in the following areas:

South Canterbury Rural Fire District; Waitaki District Council; Central Otago District Council; Queenstown Lakes District Council; Ashley Rural Fire District; Hurunui District Council; Waimakariri District Council.

Banks Peninsula District Council; Selwyn District Council; Ashburton District Council; Christchurch City Council; and all Department of Conservation areas contained within these areas.

"This is a timely reminder to the public early in the fire season that in these areas conditions are significantly dry," said Mr Dudfield.

"Any fires that are lit or start in these strong wind conditions have the potential to get out of control."