Warm weather conditions are here to stay for the day ahead of a rainy weekend. 

Most of the country will see temperatures in the mid to high 20s today. 

Canterbury was a scorcher yesterday, with the mercury reaching above 30 degrees. 

MetService Meteorologist Mark Todd told Tim Dower that today will remain warm, though coasts will get some cooler air. 

He says the hottest temperatures today will be around Central Otago and the Southern Lakes, at around 30 degrees with very little rain. 

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• Heat warning for Auckland as scorcher day expected