A windy Monday has started the week for Central Otago, before a cool southerly change moves in ahead of a forecasted fine and warm weekend. 

MetService Meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree says there are a swing of temperatures to end January.

“Westerlies are on the cards once again,” Tahlia says. 

MetService says dry, hot and gusty conditions will prevail through the week, before a cold front comes through on Wednesday night. Image courtesy MetService. 

“Dry, hot, gusty northwesterlies start off the week, contributing to significant fire hazard.”

“Days and night are looking warm. It certainly could get hot in Alexandra (30C), but a long periods of high cloud will likely hold back any temperature records.

Conditions are ripe and Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) has issued a high fire danger warning.

Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) has issued a high fire danger warning for the region from today until the end of the week. Image courtesy FENZ. 

“Stuffy nights will come to an end Wednesday night when a strong cold front moves through. It will be a dramatic shift in temperatures – single digits as low at 5C Thursday night.

“Not too much in the way of rain – should be wet Wednesday night as the front moves through, then lingering showers Thursday in a breezy southwest flow.

“Friday is looking brighter as the winds die away and sun returns for the weekend, albeit with temperatures on the cooler side.”